New West Sussex County Council chairman is “delighted”

Conservative coun-cillor Mike Coleman, pictured, on Friday succeeded Mark Dunn, who had held the post since 2008.

Mr Coleman has been a member of the council since 2001, representing the Nyetimber division.

His wife, Christina, is also a county councillor. “I am absolutely delighted,” said Mr Coleman. “I have lived in West Sussex for probably about 30 years now. I was actually born in Surrey, but Sussex is my home. I love what is best about Sussex – its heritage, the people, being near to the sea and the Downs – it is just a wonderful county to live in.”

A former deputy leader of the county council, Mr Coleman’s most recent appointment was as chairman of the corporate parenting panel. Mr Coleman is also a former member of Arun District Council and spent 27 years with IBM involving work in the UK, Europe and the USA.

In 1998, he set up his own communications consultancy business.

He is a trustee of the Chichester Harbour Trust and supporter of the West Sussex Army Benevolent Fund.