THE former chief executive of Liverpool city council, Sir David Henshaw, is making a return to civic life in the city.

Sir David has been appointed to the board of Liverpool John Moores University.

It is his first public position in the city since his high-profile exit from the council in March, 2006 – with a £340,000 pay-off.

He left the authority after falling out with then council leader Mike Storey, who is now the city’s Lord Mayor.

Last night, Sir David said he was delighted to have been given the role at the university, of which he is already an Honorary Fellow.

Tony Bell, chief executive of the Royal and Broadgreen Hospitals, will also be joining the board alongside Sir David.

Sir David is currently also the chairman of the North West Strategic Health Authority, a post which attracted controversy when he was appointed to the job just weeks after exiting the council. He said: “I am hardly returning, I’ve hardly been away.

“I have various other private interests in the city, it’s not like I have been away.