A former international swimmer who has taken on a top council role will be jumping in at the deep end when he tackles Wycombe’s £500 million redevelopment programme.

Wycombe District Council has employed Paul Shackley as their new corporate director for growth and regeneration, leaving him to oversee a district-wide rejuvenation which is hoped will see 6,000 new jobs created.

Mr Shackley takes the role at WDC having been the deputy chief executive/ corporate director at a borough council in Cumbria.

The keen swimmer has previously represented England and Great Britain in international swimming tournaments, including in the 1986 Commonwealth Games.

Speaking about his new role, he said: “The challenge at Wycombe District Council was too great an opportunity to miss.

“It’s a council that isn’t afraid to punch above its weight and has an impressive track record of leading on multi-million pound regeneration schemes.

“With plans in place to drive a £500 million redevelopment programme that will benefit the district’s residents and businesses and create up to 6,000 new jobs at the same time, it’s an incredibly exciting time to be taking up this role at Wycombe DC and I’m looking forward to getting started.”

Mr Shackley replaces Ian Westgate who retires at the end of September from his role as corporate director after 32 years in local government, many of which were in a senior role at WDC.