A COLWALL man elected a county councillor for the first time less than three years ago has been voted leader of Herefordshire’s Conservative group.

Tony Johnson saw off two cabinet colleagues to be named head of the county’s ruling Tory group and is now in line to be sworn in as the authority’s new leader next week.

Fittingly for an authority faced with cutting millions from its budget, Coun Johnson’s background is in banking having spent the last 30 years of his working life playing a role in transforming the former state-run TSB bank into a commercial business.

The chair of the council, Councillor Olwyn Barnett, said: “Councillor Johnson’s experience bears a strong resemblance to the work we have to do as a council over the next few years.

“He has the skill, experience and dedication to get us through this difficult challenge.”

Councillor Johnson’s appointment comes weeks after John Jarvis announced he would be standing down on health grounds.

His successor, however, has seen a meteoric rise to power.

In June 2010, the Mathon Road resident became ward member for Hope End replacing fellow Tory Roy Stockton.

He soon became a Cabinet support member for corporate and education before Coun Jarvis promoted him to the cabinet in a role covering financial management.

He will become leader of Herefordshire Council should cross-party members ratify his selection at a meeting next Friday.

Alongside cutting the council’s budget he faces numerous other challenges including helping oversee the £90 million retail and leisure complex due to open in the centre of Hereford next Easter, and continuing calls for a bypass around the city.

Coun Johnson retired from banking in 2001 when he adopted two children.

His interests away from local politics include flying, shooting and history.