Former chief executive of Shropshire CC, Carolyn Downs, has been confirmed as the new chief executive of the LGA.

After a tough choice for the association, which was presented with an exceptional shortlist of candidates, Ms Downs – who is currently chief executive of the Legal Services Commission - was chosen to succeed the current incumbent, John Ransford, when he retires.

The MJ revealed the shortlist this week, but Ms Downs asked to remain anonymous until an appointment was made.

The final three candidates faced a grilling for the job, with one-to-one interviews on Monday and a panel process on Wednesday. An announcement was expected on Wednesday afternoon, but the recruitment panel postponed the decision and reconvened today (Friday).

Alongside Ms Downs on the shortlist were chief executive of London Councils, John O’Brien , and former Islington chief and head of public sector at the Treasury, Helen Bailey .

Mr Ransford took up the post in 2009. He stepped into the breach by postponing his retirement when former chief Paul Coen stepped down suddenly in December 2008.

The chief executive will take the organisation away from criticisms of hiring male county council chief executives in a similar mould. Advertised at a salary of £150,000 or more for an exceptional candidate, the calibre of the candidates will add fuel to Communities secretary Eric Pickles' claims that you do not need to pay top whack to attract talent.

One of the earlier front-runners, the then chief executive of Local Government Improvement and Development, , Rob Whiteman, bowed out of the race when he landed the role of chief executive of the Boarder Agency.

He followed in the footsteps of a further local government insider, Lin Homer, previously chief executive of Birmingham City Council who moved to the Department of Transport in January.