Chief Executive retirement
Ahead of the news being made public, I wanted to share my decision to head off into retirement this year.
It has been my immense privilege to serve with Moray Council for 42 years, 36 of those as a Chief Officer, having started as an apprentice all those years ago. You can imagine the change I’ve seen since those days of Moray District Council, through reorganisation in 1996 and six internal restructures as well national events like two referenda, a global pandemic and the death of our longest reigning monarch.
The pace of change in local government may feel slow at times but when I look back over my career the scale of advancement is huge. And I know that change will continue long after I’ve gone, but I know you will all face these changes stoically and with the fervour I’ve come to recognise in colleagues.
I’ve worked with some extraordinary colleagues over the years and it is to my great pride that I leave when we’ve developed positive external working relationships with partners; see massive investment in our local economy; are cited as one of the top planning authorities in Scotland; have a strategic plan for our school estate and so many more innovative projects going on.
I’ll share my thoughts in more detail in the newly revitalised Connect magazine, due out in March, but until then please be assured that my focus is on ensuring a seamless transition between myself and my successor.