Council chiefis toretire
Bernadette Malone, the chief executive of Perth and Kinross Council, is to retire later this year.
Having held the top post for the past 15 years, Ms Malone will retire as chief executive at the beginning of July.
Since entering local government in 1990, Ms Malone has worked with Tayside Regional Council, Clackmannanshire Council and Perth and Kinross Council, taking up the position of chief executive in 2003.
Some of her work in local government has included employee engagement in the public sector, fair work, and introducing the national GIRFEC (Getting It Right For Every Child) initiative.
She has also acted as the returning officer for elections in the Perth and Kinross area during her time as chief executive.
On announcing her retirement, she said: “It has been a tremendous privilege to be chief executive of one of Scotland’s leading councils for the past 15 years. The council has a fantastic workforce, and is supported by a wide range of individuals and partner organisations in the third sector, public and private sectors.
“I consider myself very fortunate to have worked with so many talented and dedicated people including community leaders and representatives. I greatly appreciate the support I have had from my colleagues and elected members throughout my time in local government.
“My successor will take over a high performing, sector leading organisation, which is at the forefront of many innovative developments in public services.”
Councillor Murray Lyle, who was appointed as the new council leader at the end of last week, paid tribute to the legacy Ms Malone will leave at Perth and Kinross Council when she retires in the summer.
He said: “We in Perth and Kinross have been extremely fortunate to have Bernadette as our chief executive for the last 15 years.
“Perth and Kinross is a sector-leading organisation, at the forefront of many public sector innovation, particularly around child welfare and education. This is the legacy Bernadette will leave behind, and we wish her the very best in the future.”