UNIONS have labelled the internal promotion of Brighton and Hove City Council’s new chief executive as an "expensive game of musical chairs".

The authority confirmed Geoff Raw yesterday as the successful candidate to succeed ousted chief executive Penny Thompson subject to confirmation at tonight’s full council meeting.

Mr Raw, who joined the council as a strategic director five years ago, had been acting as interim chief executive since July.

He was selected ahead of Lewes District Council chief executive and former director of environment at Brighton and Hove City Council Jenny Rowlands and director of people at the London Borough of Barnet Kate Kennally.

Council leader Warren Morgan praised Mr Raw’s “innovation”, citing his “instrumental” role in the council’s affordable housing scheme announced this week while others said the new chief executive had developed a strong reputation for obtaining external funding.

Mark Turner, GMB union branch secretary, said: “Having gone through that costly event to remove the previous chief executive, they haven’t exactly brought in new blood.

“People will look at the council’s senior management and say 'what has changed'.

“The chief executive yesterday is the new chief executive today.

“People have contacted me and they are scratching their heads trying to understand what it was all about, if it was just an expensive game of musical chairs.”

Sources close to the process said that Mr Raw was the stand-out performer in his understanding of the challenges that the council faced during his 90-minute presentation and interview before a panel of three Labour councillors, two Conservatives and one Green councillor.

The Argus understands that Labour councillor Emma Daniel was a late substitute to the panel after concerns were raised about the absence of any female councillors in the selection process.

Mr Raw was also praised for the way he had performed in “very difficult circumstances” as interim in pushing through spending controls to curb the council’s overspend.

The authority will now look for a replacement to Mr Raw’s old post of director of environment, currently being filled by two officers, and the process to find a permanent post for chief financial officer will be resumed.