Chris Hespe, who played a key role in the county’s successful Olympic and Paralympic Games participation, is leaving Kent County Council.

Mr Hespe, the council’s Head of the Culture and Sport Group, is to become director of sport, leisure and culture for Cardiff Council.

Mr Hespe, who has been with KCC for 21 years, said he was excited by the new opportunity. “It’s quite a jump and a different sort of job but a big one in the capital city of Wales.”

Cardiff hosts numerous big events, ranging from Singer of the World to the Whitewater World Cup, major rugby and football matches to the recent ICC Trophy one day cricket match between India and Sri Lanka.

Mr Hespe chaired the Kent Coordinating Group for the 2012 Games in a multi-agency partnership that aimed to make the most of the opportunities offered by London 2012. It included winning the road race at Brands Hatch for cyclists with a disability.

He encouraged businesses to get involved and always had an eye for the economic benefits to the county from major sporting events, as well as the opportunities for young people and widening sports participation.

Mr Hespe headed the City of Culture bid for East Kent. While the bid was turned down, Mr Hespe said the concept was ahead of its time. Just putting the bid together - by 28 organisations - had reaped rewards. It built on the Grow for It campaign for the regeneration of East Kent and won national and international media coverage.

Rejection by judges led by Phil Redmond was not the end of the story, he said, with a full programme of cultural events planned. “We remain committed to ensuring that 2017 will be a very special year for East Kent culture.”

Mr Hespe was also involved in attracting the British Open Golf championship to Sandwich in 2011, and the Tour de France to Kent in 2007.

Mr Hespe holds Masters degrees in International Law and Leisure Management, a degree in Sports Science and diplomas in management and sport and recreation. He is a Loughborough-trained teacher, a fellow of the Chartered Management Institute and a fellow of the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity.