A new chief executive is due to take over the reigns of Croydon Council following his predecessor's retirement.

David Wechsler, who is retiring after 37 years with the council - 14 as chief executive, is expected to be formally replaced by Jon Rouse, the current chief executive of the Housing Corporation.

A special meeting of the council tonight is expected to formally confirm the appointment of the 38 year old - one of the youngest people to take up a top job in a major authority.

Previous to taking up his position at the Housing Corporation, a Government agency funding affordable homes in England, Mr Rouse was chief executive of the Commission for Architecture and Built Environment.

He also spent five years at the Department for the Environment as a private secretary to the minister for housing and local Government.

Mr Rouse has a first degree in law from Manchester University and masters degrees in urban policy and business administration.

The qualified FA referee supports Queen's Park Rangers but has suggested he might come to develop an interest in Crystal Palace.

Mr Rouse and his wife Heulwen live in Wandsworth where he is vice chairman and trustee of a local youth charity.

He said: "I am delighted at the prospect of becoming Croydon's next chief executive and look forward to working closely with elected members, officer colleagues and residents to make the borough an even better place in which to live and work.

"I hope to use my skills and experience in economic and social regeneration to help the council improve the borough's town and neighbourhood centres, expand our housing offer and attract more jobs. I know that the chief officer I will be following, David Wechsler, has been a committed servant of the borough.

"While there is still lots of work to do going forward, David's leadership has helped ensure that we can build on good foundations. It is an honour to follow in his footsteps.

"I am of course sad to be leaving the Housing Corporation. Working under the leadership of my chairman, Peter Dixon, has been a privilege from start to finish. I could not have asked for a more supportive environment. Working with the board and colleagues, we have significantly improved the performance of the organisation on all fronts and won the confidence of external stakeholders. I am proud of our achievements."

Subject to confirmation of the appointment by the full council, Mr Rouse expects to take up his position in Croydon by mid-summer.