KENT County Council’s new chief executive will be Peter Gilroy, currently the authority’s social services director.

Mr Gilroy has worked for KCC since 1991 and became social services director seven years ago. He succeeds Mike Pitt, who announced last month he did not intend to renew his contract with KCC. Mr Gilroy was the only candidate shortlisted for interview.

In his time as director, Kent’s social services department has become one of the best in the country and has been independently rated as a “three star” service – the highest ranking – for the last three years.

He has also at been at the forefront of Kent’s efforts to deal with the impact of asylum and immigration on the county and was awarded the OBE two years ago.

Mr Gilroy also chairs the Kent Drug and Alcohol Action Team, the Kent Child Protection Committee and the Committee for Youth Justice in Kent. He is also the County Council’s lead Chief Officer for community safety.

He said: “Mike Pitt is going to be a very hard act to follow. Under his leadership, Kent is now firmly established as an excellent council with an enviable reputation. After 37 years in local government, I am very much looking forward to the new challenges of serving as chief executive.”

Mr Gilroy is married with two grown-up children.