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Kevin Harkin's first job in Local Government was as a
seasonal swimming pool supervisor.
Now - 27 years later - he is on the crest of a wave having
landed the job of Tendring District Council's (TDC) leisure
chief.
Mr Harkin, 53, has been appointed Head of Leisure Services
having been an assistant head for ten years.
He takes over the post from Brian Bennett who recently moved to
Scarborough to take up a similar role.
Pierre Oxley, Portfolio Holder for Leisure Services at TDC, said
he was delighted with Mr Harkin's appointment.
"We face many challenges in the coming years and I am confident
that Kevin is just the right person to meet those challenges," he
said.
"Brian Bennett will be a very tough act to follow but with
Kevin, Tendring's Leisure Services are in very safe hands."
Mr Harkin worked as a mechanical engineer for Vauxhall Motors
and then British Aerospace after he left school. As a young man he
travelled extensively visiting 45 countries and working in half a
dozen countries across Europe.
The job of a seasonal swimming pool supervisor came after two
years spent in Australia.
Since then he has worked for five different local authorities
across the Eastern Region - the past 16 years at TDC.
Mr Harkin said that he is committed to providing high quality
public services to meet the needs of local residents.
"The biggest challenge will be to help the Council's Cabinet
address its major aim of regenerating local communities," he
added.
"I am also passionate about trying to help people increase their
own personal levels of physical activity. The aim is 30 minutes of
moderate exercise five times a week to improve health and
well-being."
Mr Harkin is married with two children and is associated with a
number of sports clubs, including Clacton Golf Club, Holland FC and
Clacton Rugby Club. |