Brockenhurst councillor Keith Mans is Hampshire County Council’s new chair

BROCKENHURST councillor Keith Mans has been elected Hampshire County Council’s new chair.

The appointment was made at HCC’s AGM, where they also elected a new leader, Cllr Nick Adams-King, a chartered surveyor who represents Romsey Rural. This followed Cllr Rob Humby’s decision to step down from the role after two years.

Cllr Mans was first elected to the council in 2009, was deputy leader and cabinet lead for children’s services 2013 to 2019 and its leader 2019-2022, steering the authority through the Covid crisis, before being elected vice-chair.

Previously an RAF pilot flying Vulcan and Canberra aircraft, he had then spent 10 years working for the John Lewis Partnership before a decade as a Lancashire MP.

Outside the council, he is a fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society, vice-president of the Air League and a liveryman of the Honorary Company of Air Pilots.

Cllr Mans takes over the role from Cllr Patricia Stallard.