THE prospective new leader of Hampshire County Council has been announced.

Councillor Rob Humby was chosen by Hampshire Conservatives as their new chief at a meeting of councillors in Winchester on Monday morning.

Cllr Humby, who succeeds Cllr Keith Mans, is the current deputy leader of Hampshire County Council and will now go forward as the Conservative group’s candidate for the top job at the annual council meeting on Thursday, May 19.

This follows last week's reports that Cllr Humby – who is also the executive lead member for economy, transport and environment and a former Winchester city councillor – would ‘almost certainly’ be in the driving seat for the position, having faced little competition for the role.

Cllr Humby said: “I’m humbled and delighted to be elected Leader of the HCC Conservative Group. I wish to pay tribute to the retiring leader, Keith Mans, who has been an excellent leader of the county through three difficult years. I hope my colleagues will equally place their trust in me for the position of Leader of the County Council. In hope of that outcome, the hard work starts today in preparing a new administration.”

“There are huge challenges facing our wonderful county, but equally enormous opportunities, I will be striving to make the very most of those so that we can not only continue but enhance the excellent work of Hampshire County Council.”

Farnborough councillor Roz Chadd was elected to the group’s deputy leader role to fill the void left by Cllr Humby, convincingly beating two other candidates.

Cllr Chadd, current executive member for Children’s Services, said: “I look forward to supporting Rob in making Hampshire an even greater place to live, work and play.”

Cllr Mans will call time on his leadership of Hampshire County Council in May, standing down to spend more time with his family.

It comes after Cllr Mans steered the county council through the Covid-19 pandemic, and gruelling £80m budget cuts.

He took control of Hampshire County Council in 2019, after spending six years as deputy leader.

Cllr Mans previously said the ideal candidate will 'have to keep all the plates spinning, and concentrate on the areas with the greatest risk'.