Tributes have been paid to council chief executive Mark Radford.

Mr Radford had been undergoing treatment for cancer since last year but during a recent stay in hospital contracted coronavirus. He died yesterday.

Cllr Roger Truelove, leader of Swale council, which serves Sittingbourne, Sheppey and Faversham, and who is also Labour leader, said: "We are all deeply saddened that our chief executive Mark Radford has passed away.

“This is so very sad because he has fought so long against his illness, only to catch the coronavirus while receiving treatment for his condition.

"He has been so brave and sustained himself with the conviction that he would return to work with us.

“He was dedicated to the council and loved the borough. He and I have spent much time discussing the future, as well as talking about our respective football clubs.

“It is a very sad day. My thoughts and prayers are with Mark’s family and friends.”

'Gentle in his manner, gentle in his speech and gentle in his thoughts and actions...'

Mr Radford began working at Swale in 1987 as the council’s estates officer and valuer, responsible for managing property assets.

In 1996 he was promoted to director of corporate services and was responsible for running the business of the council as well as transforming service delivery of key services.

He became interim chief executive in February 2017 following the departure of Abdool Kara and the post was made permanent in January 2018.

Conservative county councillor Mike Whiting for Swale West, who has also been a Swale councillor, said: "Mark was one of life's gentlemen. Gentle in his manner, gentle in his speech and gentle in his thoughts and actions.

"I knew him for many years and had huge admiration for him and his work.

"He believed in Swale and did everything he could to promote it and make it a better place.

"He will be sadly missed by everyone who knew him, particularly his work colleagues but most of all our thoughts are with his family at this terribly sad time."

Mr Radford's death comes after Dick Harman's, the council's previous director who died at William Harvey Hospital, Ashford, on April 19, aged 78. His funeral was on May 22 at Barham Crematorium.

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