Bradford's new schools chief is Phil Green, the acting director of education.

Mr Green, who has deputised in the top job since June, has landed the £90,000-a-year post permanently, fending off fellow candidates on a high-powered shortlist assembled by headhunters.

He has worked for Bradford education authority for 13 years, and was one of its most senior bosses when it was condemned as failing in a calamitous Ofsted report last year.

But Mr Green is believed to be generally liked by head teachers in the district, and had spent two years prior to the Ofsted visit seconded to a European project on ethnic minorities.

Schools chiefs today hailed the appointment as "another piece in the jigsaw" in the bid to rescue the ailing education authority.

Councillor David Ward, the executive member for education, acknowledged Mr Green was a senior member of the hierarchy of the former LEA which was condemned by Ofsted, but said he had an extensive knowledge of Bradford's education system and provided some continuity.

"We are now getting quality people into lead positions in Bradford education, and this is another brick in the wall," Coun Ward said. "Eighteen months ago, I don't think they would have come."

Mr Green's appointment follows the announcement that Mark Carriline is joining Bradford from Salford Council to be assistant chief executive, while government advisor David Mallen has become the new chairman of the Education Policy Partnership.

"There's a hell of a team being put together now and the pieces are falling into place," Coun Ward said.

Mr Green, 53, a Cambridge graduate, said: "I'm looking forward to working with our strategic partners at Education Bradford, and members of the Education Policy Partnership. I'm convinced that together we can make a real difference to educational achievement in the district."

Liz Metcalf, head teacher at Undercliffe Primary School, welcomed the appointment. She said: "Phil Green has put a lot of work into Bradford Education, does not mince his words and is a very honest person. He is supportive to schools.

"I think it's good to have a link to the past."

Mr Green was born and educated in Nottingham and studied modern languages at Cambridge University before spending 12 years teaching languages in secondary schools in Hertfordshire and Newcastle. He joined Bradford Council in 1988, taking over as acting director in June when former director Diana Cavanagh left.