MELBOURNE Barrett has been officially appointed as the new chief executive of Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council.

As previously reported, the 50-year-old was chosen as the favoured candidate by a team of councillors and representatives from partner organisations who work with the borough council, following a rigorous two-day selection process.

And councillors gave the appointment of Mr Barrett the thumbs up at a full council meeting on December 11.

Mr Barrett, pictured, is currently executive director of housing and regeneration at the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, with responsibility for a £1billion residential property portfolio.

He has also been taking the lead on bringing forward major regeneration projects, including a recently announced 15-year housing and regeneration partnership with a private sector company and the £8billion redevelopment of Earls Court.

Formerly a director of the London Development Agency and chief executive of the Docklands East London Agency Ltd, Mr Barrett has also worked at Oxford City Council where he led the redevelopment of Oxford’s Westgate Shopping Centre.

The father-of-two is a member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, and a graduate of the City University Business School MBA programme.

Borough council leader Councillor Clive Sanders told fellow councillors: “As members will be aware, we had an extensive process for selection.

“I think Mel is going to prove to be an exceptionally good chief executive. I look forward to working with him and to welcoming him and giving him the support required to do an absolutely outstanding job.”

Mr Barrett is expected to join the borough council in the spring following the completion of his three-month notice period.