Phil Kirby has been appointed as the new chief executive of Broadland District Council.

He will take up the post in October when current chief executive, Colin Bland, takes early retirement.

Currently the council's strategic director and chief planner, Mr Kirby joined the council in 1996 and his appointment means the authority can reorganise its senior management structure directorate posts from three to two.

He will lead a team of some 300 staff and be responsible for an annual budget of more than �14m a year.

Paying tribute to his predecessor, Mr Kirby said: 'Colin has provided exceptional leadership over the last 10 years which has contributed to Broadland's success as an organisation.

'The challenge for me is to sustain and build on that success, ensuring that the outstanding team at Broadland continues to deliver affordable excellent services to residents, businesses and visitors now and into the future.'

Born in London, Mr Kirby is married and has two children. He began his local government career in Hertfordshire and worked at councils in Leicestershire and Kent before moving to Norfolk.

He was president of the Planning Officers Society in 2008/09 and has been key in planning for sustainable growth in the Norwich area.

Broadland council leader Andrew Proctor said: 'Phil has a sense of purpose and the drive to lead the council's team during what will be a period of great change in local government, while at the same time giving us the continuity to ensure the council's high quality service ethic remains at the heart of what we do.'