A NEW managing director has been appointed to run Worcester City Council.

Duncan Sharkey was approved following a vote by councillors at the Guildhall on Wednesday.

Mr Sharkey will pick up a £105,824 annual pay packet and is set to take up his role as managing director of Worcester City Council by the end of February 2010.

He replaces former chief executive David Wareing, who served the city for 17 years and retired last year.

Mr Sharkey will take the helm with a “strong” mandate at a difficult time for the city council, which is in the middle of cost-cutting programme aimed at finding £4.5 million in savings across every department over five years. He will be responsible for the 425 full-time equivalent staff on the council’s pay roll.

Andy Roberts, city mayor, called the unanimous vote a “healthy” signal.

Simon Geraghty, city council leader, set out the reasons why Mr Sharkey had been selected for the job, saying he had a “strong track record for delivery of change and efficiency programmes.”

Mr Sharkey will continue in his current role as chief executive of West Lindsey District Council, where he currently earns more than £100,000 a year, until the end of February. The 38-year-old married father of four has been at the helm at the Lincolnshire district council for five years and was among the youngest chief executives ever appointed.

Councillor Geraghty said: “I am delighted to announce Mr Sharkey’s appointment.

“He is a dynamic individual with a strong track record in the successful delivery of change management and efficiency programmes. I am confident that together we will ensure Worcester achieves its vision – to become a first rank cathedral and university city.” Mr Sharkey, who accepted the offer on Tuesday, November 10, said that he was aware of the challenges faced by the city council.

He said: “I am absolutely delighted to have been offered the role.

“It is a much larger council than West Lindsey and presents some exciting challenges and opportunities.”

Before joining West Lindsey, Mr Sharkey was director of operational services at Corby Borough Council and previously head of regeneration at Boston Borough Council between 1997 and 2002.

Following the retirement of Mr Wareing in September 2008, Alan Stuttard has been the city council’s acting head of the paid service.

l Your Worcester News was the only member of the media to attend the meeting.