One of the frontrunners to take over the top job at the Local Government Group has ruled himself out of the race by taking on a key post with the Government.

Rob Whiteman, who currently heads up Local Government Improvement and Development – what used to be the IDeA – has been hired by the Home Office to lead the UK Border Agency.

When he took on his current role, Mr Whiteman was widely seen as the chief executive in waiting, set to follow in the footsteps of John Ransford who had delayed his retirement to fill the breech left by his predecessor Paul Coen.

The recruitment process has already been beset with difficulties after shortlisting – due to take place at the LGA conference in Birmingham earlier this month – was delayed.

Plans to long-list this week were stymied by diaries, The MJ understands, so the next stage in the process will now take place next week.

Mr Whiteman has widely been seen as one of three or four main contenders for the job. The other top-touted names include Helen Bailey, formerly of the Treasury, and London Councils’ John O’Brien.

Mr Whiteman joined the IDeA in January 2010 from his role as chief executive of Barking and Dagenham LBC and was previously finance director and deputy chief executive at Lewisham LBC.

Mr Whiteman told The MJ he was ‘delighted’ to be taking on the exciting new role. ‘I’m very pleased to have got this – it’s a cracking job. But I have really enjoyed my time at the Local Government Group.’

He replaces interim chief executive, Jonathan Sedgewick. The post was previously held by another former chief executive, Lin Homer, from Birmingham City Council, who moved to the Department of Transport in January.

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