A COUNCIL has appointed a new permanent finance director 15 months after his predecessor left the role.

Brighton and Hove City Council has named its new executive director finance and resourcing as David Kuenssberg after he was selected by a cross-party panel of councillors and chief executive Geoff Raw.

Mr Kuenssberg is the brother of BBC’s political editor Laura Kuenssberg.

He joins the council from the Department for Communities and Local Government where he is deputy finance director and will bring more than 20 years’ of financial management experience in a career that has included spells at Historic England and accountants PwC.

The 44-year-old will have a short commute to King’s House from his house in Hove which he shares with his wife and two young children when he takes up the role on April 4.

He replaces £999-a-day interim director Rachel Musson who left the council in December.

Recruitment firm Penna Consultants that put her in place have also been involved in the recruitment process for Mr Kuenssberg whose salary was advertised as a maximum of £115,000.

Cllr Les Hamilton, lead member for finance and resources, said: “We are delighted that David will be joining the council’s executive leadership team.

“He brings a wealth of experience from different fields and is joining the council when sound financial management is more important than ever.”

Mr Kuenssberg said: “I’m very excited to be joining Brighton and Hove City Council and am looking forward to the challenges ahead.

“It’s the perfect opportunity to apply my skills and experience to make a real impact.

“I am passionate about the city and its future, having lived here for eight years.”