Swindon Council has appointed John Gilbert, the current interim chief executive, as its new chief executive.
He has been awarded the top job by a cross-party committee, which will recommend councillors approve the appointment at the full council meeting on February 25. 
Twenty-eight candidates from across the country applied for the role after the job was advertised in mid-November. Mr Gilbert, pictured, who is also the council’s board director of commissioning, was selected from a final group of four.
Mr Gilbert joined Swindon Borough Council in 2008 from Telford and Wrekin Council where he spent 10 years as assistant director of children’s services. Prior to this role he was assistant director of development, leisure and cultural services at Stafford Borough Council.
He joined Swindon Council as director of children’s services and then also became director of adult social care services.
Council leader David Renard said: “We had a lot of interest in this role and all candidates were put through a very demanding selection process over several weeks, which included external interviews and analysis, and interviews with elected members, staff and representatives from partner organisations.
“We advertised it nationally because it is a very important job – this council has some major financial challenges over the coming years and we have also set out our Vision for Swindon which we intend to deliver.
“John has been a first-class board director of commissioning, which has included responsibility for Children’s Services and Adult Social Care, so he is well-equipped for the rigours of this role. I am looking forward to working with him to get things done.”
Labour group leader Jim Grant added: “Since joining Swindon Borough Council, John has shown himself to be a very capable director. During the interview process John demonstrated not only that he knew the challenges and opportunities facing Swindon and the council, but that his skills and experiences were best suited to meeting them.
“I wish John the best in this new role and look forward to working with him in the coming months and years.”
He replaces Gavin Jones, who held the role for nine years and left last month to become the new chief executive at Essex County Council.
