THE organisation in charge of Swindon's regeneration has appointed a new interim chief executive.

Philip Watkins will take over as chief executive of the New Swindon Company on June 1 on a temporary basis.

Peter Andrews, the current chief executive, is leaving at the end of May to join the London Thames Gateway Development Corporation.

Mr Watkins will be on secondment from the South West Regional Development Agency, where he is head of operations for Wiltshire and Swindon.

The search for a permanent chief executive has already started.