NewPKC chiefexec
Perth and Kinross Council has announced the appointment of a new chief executive.
Thomas Glen, currently depute chief executive at East Dunbartonshire Council, will take up the post in November.
Mr Glen has worked with East Dunbartonshire Council since 2009 and has been in his current role, with particular responsibility for Place, Neighbourhood and Corporate Assets, since 2016.
Commencing as a community worker in the late 1980s, Mr Glen has worked across local and central government, the voluntary sector and consultancy.
The local authority’s most recent chief executive, Karen Reid, left her post in January this year having announced her departure the previous year.
Barbara Renton, executive director of housing and environment, has been acting as interim chief executive since Ms Reid left to become chief executive of NHS Education for Scotland.
Council bosses invited applications for the vacant chief executive role earlier this year but no replacement had been found by April.
As a result the council decided to re-advertise the role and hire Pontefract-based employment agency Solace in Business for £14,250 to help it fill the position.
Following the announcement of his appointment, Mr Glen said: “I am delighted and very privileged to be offered the opportunity to take on the role of chief executive at Perth and Kinross and would like to thank the selection panel for placing their trust in me.
“As someone whose public service career started over 30 years ago, I am committed to working to support local people and communities, tackle inequality and deliver excellent public services.
“I look forward to leading the fantastic team at Perth and Kinross Council and to working with our partners over the coming years.”
Council leader Murray Lyle, a representative for Strathallan who chaired the appointment sub-committee for the post, commented: “I am delighted that Thomas will be joining us as our new chief executive.
“Thomas brings a wealth of experience, passion and commitment for public services and working with communities and partners to support the sustainable, economic and social renewal of the area.
“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Barbara Renton who is very ably filling the role of interim chief executive and will continue to do so until Thomas joins us later this year.”