The chief executive of Hampshire County Council is standing down from his £190,000 job after steering the local authority through its worst ever funding squeeze.
Andrew Smith OBE was appointed to the non-elected role in 2007 following a national search for a candidate to steer one of the biggest county council's in the UK.
At the time his appointment drew criticism because of his salary was more than that of the UK Prime Minister.
But county council leader Cll Roy Perry paid tribute to Mr Smith's contribution during his eight years in the post.
He said: "Andrew has led the county council in an exemplary manner through the most difficult times.
"We owe much to his vision and his contribution.
He added that the importance that Mr Smith had always attached to the role and function of elected members meant he had always been held in high regard."
Mr Smith will stand down later this year, with the search on for a successor.
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