CAROLE Hudson, chief executive of St Helens Council, will retire next March, it was confirmed today.

The council said that the 59-year-old's successor will be appointed on January 14, 2015.

She has been responsible for the overall management of the council since 1991.

In a statement the local authority said she had been responsible for securing millions of pounds from Government and Europe to support key projects in the borough, including the M62 Link Road, Technology Campus, Saints' Langtree Park stadium, St Helens Central Station and new schools programme.

The announcement follows news that another high ranking council official, Bob Hepworth, the head of urban regeneration, is also due to retire at the end of October.

Carole has also played a lead role in both the North West region and in the Liverpool City Region. In 2007 she was awarded the CBE for her work in Local Government in the North West and St Helens.

In a statement she said: “It has been a great privilege to have served the people of St Helens. I have worked with so many excellent officers, councillors and partner organisations over the years and all of them are trying to do their best for the people of St Helens.

"The work of the local churches and voluntary sector in St Helens is something the borough should be proud of.

"So many local people give their time selflessly as volunteers in community groups and provide valued support as carers.

The outgoing chief executive applauded the work of the local schools and colleges, St Helens Chamber, Helena Partnerships, Merseyside Police, the Fire Service, the Clinical Commissioning Group in St Helens as well as hospitals and community services staff.

She said all are regarded as close working partners who contribute significantly "to the new direction of St Helens".

She added: “I would also like to pay tribute to our local MPs, the Mayor of Liverpool and the Leader’s and Chief Executives of the Liverpool City Region who are working together with the Local Enterprise Partnership to ensure that this City Region is given the recognition it so richly deserves, as a key economic hub in the North West.

“I wish the people of St Helens and the Liverpool City Region every success for the future.”

Councillor Leader Barrie Grunewald added: “I would like to thank Carole for her loyal service to the council and the people of St Helens and for her contribution towards the economic transformation of the borough.

"The last four years have been extremely challenging during the austerity programme and she has worked hard alongside our politicians to manage the council well, having to make significant budget cuts and at the same time ensuring that the council can continue to deliver its statutory responsibilities.

"I wish her well in her retirement.”