ALL three group leaders on Swindon Council have joined forces to heap praise on Gavin Jones, the newly appointed officer in charge of cultural change.

Council leader Mike Bawden (Con, Old Town and Lawns) said: "Gavin has the mix of dynamic business and communication skills that we need to help us turn this council around and to make us a successful authority."

Coun Kevin Small (Western), leader of the Labour group, said: "This new directorate will ensure that council services are both focused and delivered to the highest quality."

And the Liberal Democrat leader, Coun Mike Evemy (Eastcott), was equally enthusiastic.

"I am sure that the skills, experience and enthusiasm he will bring to the council will help us to deliver a successful recovery," he said.

In his last post, Mr Jones was vice-president of customer services and marketing at SITA, providing information and telecommunication solutions to the air transport and similar industries.