The chief executive of Swale BC, Mark Radford, has died after being diagnosed with the coronavirus, the council has announced.
Mr Radford had been undergoing treatment for cancer since last year and contracted Covid-19 during a recent stay in hospital.
Council leader Cllr Roger Truelove said all at Swale were ‘deeply saddened’.
He added: ‘This is so very sad because he has fought so long against his illness, only to catch the coronavirus whilst receiving treatment for his condition.
‘He has been so brave and sustained himself with the conviction that he would return to work with us.
‘He was dedicated to the council and loved the borough, and he and I have spent much time discussing the future, as well as talking about our respective football clubs.
‘It is a very sad day, and my thoughts and prayers are with Mark’s family and friends.’
Mr Radford began working at Swale in 1987, becoming director of corporate services in 1996.
He became interim chief executive in February 2017 following the departure of Abdool Kara and the post was made permanent in January 2018.
Photo: © Oast House Archive
