THE proposed new chief executive for Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council has been announced.

Graham Farrant has been named as the recommended appointment for the role, ahead of official agreement by the BCP Shadow Authority at a meeting on October 17.

The recommendation follows a national search for the best candidate.

Mr Farrant is currently the chief executive of the Land Registry and Chief Registrar.

He previously held roles as chief executive of Thurrock Council and London Borough of Barking and Dagenham.

He is said to have transformed Thurrock into a council with a strong regeneration strategy providing excellent services to residents. He also has extensive private sector experience.

Cllr Janet Walton, chairman of the Shadow Senior Appointments Committee said: “The committee is delighted to recommend Graham as the chief executive of the new council.

"This has been a rigorous process for all involved, but we believe that Graham has the right skills to take the new council forward successfully. We are confident that Graham’s extensive experience in both the public and private sectors mean he is the right person to take forward this exciting programme of change and transformation.”

The nine existing councils will be disbanded and two new unitary councils will come into being from April 1, 2019.