A business leader would make an ideal elected mayor for Brighton and Hove, says the man heading the Yes campaign.

Roger French, managing director of Brighton and Hove Bus and Coach Company, said there was no room for political point-scoring when it came to running the city efficiently.

Mr French said: I don't want the city to be run on the lines of a business but I think people who have run businesses have a better grasp of what is needed.

When the Yes campaign succeeds and voters are given the opportunity to choose a city leader, they will want a first-class communicator who listens to all the arguments and ensures the relevant people are involved in timely decision-making.

Most importantly, someone with an ability to deliver a quality service on the ground These are exactly the disciplines any successful business leader demonstrates.

The only difference in leading a successful city will be to surpass the expectations of residents and visitors, instead of customers.

The mayor should also ensure the cheapest council tax possible to give maximum value to tax payers and be answerable to councillors for delivering results and keeping to budgets with the ultimate discipline of being voted out by the electorate every four years."

These were exactly the same disciplines required of a managing director called to account by a board of directors and answerable to shareholders.

External audits of company accounts ensured propriety in business decisionmaking.

An elected mayor from the business world would be used to financial scrutiny arrangements such as those being introduced to ensure the mayor worked in the interests of residents.

Mr French said there needed to be a move away from political squabbling to a person with a proven track record who could make decisions without having a political agenda.

He said: We want someone who can make decisions that will make a difference.

Not a bureaucrat who relishes prevaricating at yet more meetings, agendas and minutes."

City council leader Ken Bodfish, also in favour of having an elected mayor, said communities and businesses could not be run on the same lines.

He said: It is a complete misunderstanding of the role of mayor. Whoever takes on the role must have the confidence of the council.

In the world of business the bottom line is profit but running a council there will be many decisions that have to be made where money is not the prime consideration.

People have to come first."