The deputy chancellor of Flinders University will step in as interim chief executive officer of Adelaide City Council.

Stephen Hains will act as CEO while the council searches for a replacement for outgoing CEO Peter Smith.

Hains holds several senior roles in industry and local government and was the CEO of Salisbury Council from 1991 to 2011.

Lord Mayor Martin Haese said the council wanted to ensure the process of recruiting a new CEO was not prejudiced, and that the appointment of an independent interim CEO would achieve that.

“We are keen to keep the application process for a new CEO on a level playing field and did not want to preclude or prejudice any internal or external applicant from applying for the role,” Haese said.

Interim Adelaide City Council CEO Stephen Hains.

“It’s an important role and we want to be able to find the best person for the job and we believe that having an independent interim CEO will allow us to do this.”

Hains is the Director of Bedford Industries and a presiding member of the Adelaide Hills Development Assessment Panel and the Northern Adelaide Local Health Network Governing Council.

Peter Smith announced his resignation last month after six years in the job, saying he wanted to pursue other career opportunities in the private sector.