A NEW managing director has been appointed at Worcester City Council after winning unanimous support.

David Blake, the city's economic chief, was promoted to the top £105,000-a-year role at last night's full council meeting.

Mr Blake, whose background is in regeneration, started permanently in the new job today after several weeks as acting 'head of paid service'.

He said: "It is an honour to be named as the new managing director.

"Worcester is a city on the up, with a growing tourism and heritage offer and many great businesses choosing to make their home here.

"I am committed to helping create a bright future for the city and to transforming the council to deliver an excellent service for all our residents."

During the full council meeting Labour and Conservative group leaders both spoke in favour of his appointment.

Labour Councillor Adrian Gregson, the city's leader, said: "The decision to recommend David to the role is unanimous.

"During the interviews it did involve a presentation to outside 'stakeholders' which showed how suited he was to the role, and the importance that goes with this position."

Councillor Marc Bayliss, Conservative group leader, said: "We went through a process that was thorough and comprehensive.

"We started with 27 candidates, whittled that down to nine and then four, and David battled through.

"It is always difficult for internal candidates in terms of what they can and can't say, but David is absolutely the right person to move this city forward."

Mr Blake, a Londoner, joined the council in 2014 as a corporate director for responsible for regeneration and the economy.

Prior to that he had spent over a decade at the now-abolished Advantage West Midlands, handling a budget of £58 million.

He was also assistant chief executive of the Staffordshire Training and Enterprise Council (TEC) before that, and spent significant career time in the private sector.

His appointment follows the resignation of former MD Sheena Ramsey, who left in February to relocate to the north-east of England for family reasons.

It comes at a time when the council's Labour cabinet is facing the axe after May, with a new committee system of governance due to be brought in.