Swindon Council has appointed deputy chief executive, Gavin Jones, as its new chief executive. Mr Jones will succeed interim chief, Sir Mike Pitt, who was appointed in 2005 to turn around the ‘weak’-rated council. Councillors are expected to approve the appointment on 20 July. ‘I want all future development in this town to be to the highest-possible standard,’ he said. ‘And for Swindon to have a town centre that others look to for inspiration. We have started the process and are now heading in the right direction, but a huge amount of work lies ahead of us before we can say that the job is done.’ Mr Jones joined Swindon two-and-a-half years ago, and was appointed deputy chief executive last year. In August 2005, he was also appointed director of partnership and performance. The former chief executive of Kent CC, Sir Mike Pitt, was only asked to head up the council in 2005 for a few months, but announced last August that he would stay for a further 12 months.
