Bryan Sweetland was elected today (Thursday) during the annual meeting of the council.
He has represented the Gravesham Rural division since May 2009.
The retired senior telecommunications industry manager said: “I am absolutely delighted to have been elected chairman of Kent County Council. It’s a huge honour and a privilege. In particular, I look forward to supporting two local Kent based charities this year, which are We are Beams and the Elliott Holmes Memorial Fund.
“The Military Covenant has always been important to this county council and I will do all that I can to maintain the outstanding partnership that exists between this council and the Armed Forces in Kent.
“Like my predecessor, I take the responsibility of Chairmanship very seriously and I look forward to serving the residents of Kent to the best of my ability.”
Mr Sweetland was a Councillor at Gravesham Borough Council from 2007 to 2015 and served as Cabinet Member for Business and the Town Centre.
On election to KCC, he initially served as Deputy Cabinet Member for Business Services before holding various Cabinet positions including Highways, Environment and Waste, Commercial and Traded Services and People, Partnerships and Communication. He has represented KCC on the Rochester Bridge Trust and the Kent Fire and Rescue Authority.
He has served as a non-executive director of a number of public organisations including NHS West Kent Primary Care Trust, Kent Community Health Trust and various KCC Commercial Services companies.
Bryan is a past president of Gravesend and Meopham Rotary Club and during the Covid pandemic worked as an NHS volunteer at the Gravesend mass vaccination centre.
Deputy Chairman of KCC Alan Ridgers and Chairman of KCC Bryan Sweetland
His career in telecommunications industry took him across the UK, Europe, USA and Bermuda.
He will be supported in the coming year by the new Deputy Chairman Alan Ridgers, who serves for the Gravesend East division.
Outgoing Chairman Gary Cooke reflected on his year in office and said: “Being Chairman of KCC is a huge honour and I have enjoyed my year immensely. I have met so many wonderful people who work tirelessly for our great county and am incredibly grateful for everyone’s support and encouragement that contributed to making my year as successful as I hope it was.
“It certainly was a very busy year full of highs and I will always remember HMS Kent receiving the Freedom of the County of Kent, the first time the honour has ever been granted, and then seeing the ship’s company led by the Massed Bands of HM Royal Marines parading through Maidstone to County Hall in celebration of the honour. I was also pleased to chair the Civilian Military Partnership Board for Kent promoting and recognising the amazing contribution of our armed services to our county.
“However, the most important thing for me in my year was the support and awareness I was able to provide for my two charities and the work they do for Kent’s young carers. We have raised some significant funds in support of both Imago and Crossroads and, more than anything, I enjoyed the time that I was able to spend with the young carers themselves. They are truly amazing human beings and they have my love and support forever.
“Thank you Kent.”
Further information
What is the Chairman’s role?
The Chairman is the civic and ceremonial head of Kent County Council, and represents the council at many events in Kent and the South East. The role of the Chairman is to uphold the democratic values of the council as a whole and represent the council at civic and ceremonial functions.
The Chairman and Vice-Chairman are elected annually by the county council.
To find out more, visit: The Chairman - Kent County Council
