THE deputy chief executive of Monmouthshire County Council has been appointed as the regional programme director of the Cardiff Capital Region City Deal.

Kellie Beirne will move into the £112,000-a-year-post in the summer after impressing the 10 council leaders signed up to the £1.2 billion project.

The role will involve the management of projects that will fulfil the deal’s aim to create more than 25,000 new jobs in south east Wales by 3036.

Describing the recruitment process as “tough”, Ms Beirne said: “It’s the right role for me to work right across the region in the areas I feel passionate about such as the economy, planning and transport.

“I want to work with as many people as possible, so we can really feel the benefits.”

Ms Beirne’s will see her pay rise by almost £30,000, having earned between £85,842 and £88,131 in her current role.

The salary will be shared amongst all of the councils taking part in the City Deal investment.

“I’ll be working with 10 local authorities across the region, and that is a challenge that I am really relishing,” said Ms Beirne.

“I want to help build the region’s global profile and see how we can compete with the best countries in the world.”

One of the projects that Ms Beirne has helped to shape is the compound semiconductor foundry in Newport.

The City Deal regional cabinet, together with the Welsh and UK Governments and tech firm IQE, have committed £38 million to establishing the site.

“It’s an investment in the future that will create jobs and definitely provide a boost to our economy,” said Ms Beirne.

Ms Beirne’s appointment was applauded by councillors at a full Monmouthshire council meeting last week.

Speaking at the meeting, council leader Peter Fox described Ms Beirne as an “absolutely outstanding candidate”, adding: “We are so pleased right across the region.

All 10 leaders are unanimously supportive of Kellie and her vision and what she’s going to do.” Last December the council agreed to host the role on behalf of the nine other local authorities.