A NEW chief executive has been appointed by Oxfordshire County Council.

He is Dr Richard Shaw, the environment director at Surrey County Council, and a former Private Secretary to three Government ministers.

Dr Shaw, who is married with three children, has a background in education and the environment and has worked in the voluntary sector.

He was Private Secretary to Michael Heseltine, Chris Patten and Michael Howard in their terms as Secretaries of State, and spent four years working for Voluntary Service Overseas, organising education programmes in developing countries.

Dr Shaw was chosen from a shortlist of six candidates and replaces John Harwood, who is now chief executive of the Learning and Skills Council.

Dr Shaw, who graduated with a first-class honours degree from Sussex University, hopes to take up his post within three months.

He said: "My start date has not yet been finalised but I am raring to go and am very much looking forward to working in Oxfordshire."

His appointment has been welcomed by county councillors. Liberal Democrat leader Margaret Godden said: "I am delighted with this appointment. Dr Shaw has well developed ideas about making the council more visible and accessible to the people of Oxfordshire."

Labour group leader Brian Hodgson added: "We are convinced he will do a first-class job."

Conservative group leader Keith Mitchell said he was looking forward to working with Dr Shaw.