Bradford Council has called in headhunters after failing to find a new chief executive – despite the job having a £200,000 salary.

The council had drawn up a shortlist of six, but three of the candidates pulled out for personal and professional reasons.

The remaining three did not have the right credentials for the job and the council had to begin the search again. In the meantime, interim manager Philip Robinson will continue in his role as acting chief executive.

But industry insiders believe Veredus, the firm called in to fill the vacancy, will have its work cut out.

Katrina Paget, principle consultant at headhunter Harvey Nash’s research division, said: “There are only a handful of people in the country who are qualified to do this job.

“And it could well end somebody’s career because Bradford is a high-performing council – any slip in standards could seriously damage their career.”

Bradford council has had to contend with race riots and chronic poverty in recent years – although its overall performance has been strong.