Kevin Harkin

KEVIN Harkin has been appointed Tendring District Council's leisure chief.

Mr Harkin started out 27 years ago in local government as a seasonal swimming pool supervisor.

He was assistant head of leisure services at the council before taking up his new appointment, aged 53.

He takes over from Brian Bennett, who moved to Scarborough to take up a similar role.

Pierre Oxley, portfolio holder for leisure services at the council, said he was delighted at Mr Harkin's appointment.

“We face many challenges in the coming years and I am confident that Kevin is just the right person to meet those challenges,” he said.

“Brian Bennett will be a very tough act to follow but with Kevin, Tendring's leisure services are in very safe hands.”

After leaving school, Mr Harkins worked as a mechanical engineer for Vauxhall Motors and than at British Aerospace. He travelled extensively, visiting 45 countries and working in half a dozen countries across Europe.

He has worked for five different local authorities across the eastern region, and has been with Tendring for the past 16 years.

He says he is committed to providing high quality public services to meet the needs of local residents.

“The biggest challenge will be to help the council's cabinet address its major aim of regenerating local communities,” he said.

“I am also passionate about trying to help people increase their own personal levels of physical activity. The aim is 30 minutes of moderate exercise five times a week to improve health and wellbeing.”

Mr Harkin is married with two children and is associated with a number of sports clubs, including Clacton Golf Club, Holland FC and Clacton Rugby Club.