Bridgend County Borough Council (BCBC) has appointed a new chief executive.
Mark Shephard, the former communities director at BCBC who became interim chief executive in January, will now take on the leadership role on a permanent basis.
It follows an extraordinary council meeting on Wednesday, May 1, when councillors met to unanimously approve the appointment.
Mr Shephard is familiar with the local authority having spent 20 years in senior management roles across the council.
In his most recent post as communities director he was responsible for a wide range of services, from planning, property and highways to waste and recycling, regeneration and economic development.
He was also closely involved in establishing partnerships with the Awen Cultural Trust and Halo Leisure which now manage the council’s libraries and leisure centres.
Council leader Huw David said: “With his impressive track record and varied experience of working within Bridgend County Borough Council, Mark is ideally placed to provide strategic leadership alongside elected members as we continue to deliver essential services for local people.
“With increasingly limited resources, this is an extremely challenging time for local government and it was essential to find the right candidate for the role.
“Not only does Mark possess all of the right qualities to offer BCBC outstanding leadership, he has a clear understanding of the challenges we face and will enable the authority to build on opportunities for protecting and improving services.”
BCBC advertised the role of chief executive in The Guardian with a salary of up to £139,000.
The previous chief executive Darren Mepham left in January after six years in order to take on a new role as chief executive for Barnet and Southgate College in North London.
