Former Wiltshire Council boss lands top job in Cardiff (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Former Wiltshire Council boss lands top job in Cardiff

10:38am Friday 27th April 2012 in Wiltshire

Wiltshire Council’s former chief executive, who was made redundant last year and received a £144,000 payout, has landed a top job with Cardiff City Council.

Andrew Kerr, who served in his role as chief executive for only 18 months, started as Cardiff City Council’s chief operating officer last week, on a salary of up to £131,000.

The 53-year-old lost his £183,000-per-year job last October when Wiltshire Council made an additional £1.4m cut to the budget in order to balance the books.

Jon House, chief executive of the Cardiff City Council, said: "Andrew Kerr has been appointed as new Chief Operating Officer... his proven track record enhances our reputation as an authority facing current challenges head on.

"He will be an integral part of the organisation as we continue to deliver the change needed to meet the needs of Cardiff with the resources we have available.

"Andrew has quite a task ahead of him overseeing the operations of the entire organisation, but I have no doubt he will be a fantastic addition to our team."

The role, one of the most senior positions at the council, which has a budget of £920m, was advertised as needing someone who has "significant experience of designing and delivering a broad range of operational services.

"We are less interested in the specific services you have previously led but will require you to demonstrate that you possess the leadership, partnership and management skills to make a major contribution to Cardiff’s success as a European Capital City."