YORK-based construction company Jarvis has announced the former chief executive of Newcastle City Council is to join them in a "senior position."

Kevin Lavery, who became the youngest chief executive of a major local authority when he got the job, aged 37, four years ago, will take a leading role in Jarvis' information technology department.

Mr Lavery said he was looking forward to taking up his new role in York, which he will start in November.

"I'm very excited to be joining Jarvis. It's a FTSE 250 company that is going places. I'm sad to be leaving Newcastle but I have to think of my career development and put my family's interests first."

Peter Scott, Jarvis Director of Strategy, said: "We are delighted that someone of Kevin's calibre is joining the Jarvis team."

Updated: 10:55 Friday, August 24, 2001