Cornwall Council Chief Executive Kevin Lavery has officially exited his post ahead of his controversial move to New Zealand to take up a new role.
Mr Lavery had been in charge of Cornwall Council since 2008 and oversaw its transition to a unitary authority a year later.
His exit to become Chief Executive of Wellington City Council became shrouded in controversy when it emerged in New Zealand newspaper reports that he had been offered the role, before he had informed colleagues.
Mr Lavery was seen as a champion of outsourcing council services and a row over a privatisation deal with BT last October was followed by the ousting of council leader Alec Robertson.
It was suggested that watering down of this plan was partly behind his decision to search for another job.
Alex Folkes, Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats Group, said: "He oversaw a really difficult process in the transition to a unitary authority which wasn't and still isn't universally popular and I think he did that job incredibly well."
His position has been filled by Assistant Chief Executive, Paul Masters, who agreed to step in on an interim basis in February.
His appointment will be for a minimum of at least six months, pending the outcome of the elections in May and a decision by the new council regarding his role.
Speaking on Friday, Mr Lavery said he felt he was leaving Cornwall in a much stronger position than what he found it in four years ago.
He said: "The council needs to continue the good work it has begun. I would like to see Cornwall doing so well economically that it no longer needs European funding, with vibrant tourism, food, maritime and green industries and a growing population. I would also like to see a council which is no longer reliant on Whitehall for grant funding and which is self sufficient."
