Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Des takes over as council’s chief executive
North Lanarkshire Council has appointed Des Murray as its new chief executive.
The 46-year-old is currently assistant chief executive for enterprise and housing, and has been with the local authority for seven years, previously serving as a senior officer in housing and then head of housing property.
He will take up the role later in the year, following the retirement of current chief executive Paul Jukes after his three years at the helm.
Mr Murray said: “It’s a huge privilege to work for a council with the ambitions of North Lanarkshire, and I’m immensely excited about the prospect of leading the organisation for the benefit of the communities we serve.
“We face some big challenges but we also have big opportunities to deliver for the people of the area.
“I’m from North Lanarkshire and have a deep affinity with this great place – it’s essential we continue to make North Lanarkshire a place where people can live, work, learn, invest and visit, and where we continue to tackle poverty and inequality.”
He added: “I would like to pay tribute to Paul Jukes, who has brought about really significant change in his time as chief executive and has been an enormous support and inspiration to me.”
Mr Murray had previously worked for Strathclyde Regional Council and South Lanarkshire Council before joining North Lanarkshire in 2011.
Council leader Jim Logue, the Airdrie Central representative, chaired the selection panel and said: “We had some outstanding candidates, which reflects the size of this job and our ambitions for North Lanarkshire.
“Des impressed us throughout the process with a clear idea of his vision for how to lead our 14,000 staff and how to deliver on the ambitions we have set out.
“Although Paul Jukes is a hard act to follow, I have no doubt that Des will do a tremendous job and I very much look forward to working closely with him.”
Retiring chief executive Mr Jukes added: “Des is an outstanding officer and public servant, and I’m delighted that he will succeed me as chief executive.
“He has played a key part in the recent changes to the way the council operates and has a clear vision, drive and determination; and I’m confident that the organisation is in excellent hands.”