Kingston Council has hired a new chief executive, four months after the shock resignation of Bruce McDonald and revelations of his £267,000 payout.

Charlie Adan, formerly of the Conservative-run Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils, will start in August.

Ms Adan joins from the Conservative run Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils where she has been chief executive for five years.

While there she oversaw the integration of the money-saving ‘smaller, smarter, swifter programme’, which merged the workforces of Babergh and Mid Suffolk into one shared service.

Kingston Council leader Kevin Davis said: “Charlie has the proven transformation skills to introduce the changes needed to make Kingston Council a local authority fit for the future.

"She brings a savvy commercial head and social heart which will help secure Kingston’s reputation as being the best place to live and work.”

Ms Adan said: “Kingston has a clear sense of purpose to deliver a better and brighter future for its residents. My previous work at the cutting edge of public service reform in two district councils and across Suffolk public services provides a fantastic launchpad for this new role.”

Liberal Democrat leader Liz Green said the move had ‘cross party support’.