Sue Bruce: preparing to swap Aberdeen for Edinburgh Pic: © STV
Aberdeen City Council chief executive Sue Bruce has been named as the preferred candidate for the post of chief executive of Edinburgh City Council.
Mrs Bruce's appointment will be confirmed by the capital's authority later this month. She has worked for Aberdeen City Council since December 2008 - replacing Douglas Patterson - and before that she worked for East Dunbartonshire Council.
She said: “Working with Aberdeen City Council has been a wonderful, challenging and interesting experience for me.
"I joined the authority during turbulent times and by working closely with elected members and staff at all levels, together we have been able to get the council back on a steady footing."
The 54-year-old added: "My two years in Aberdeen have been exciting and enjoyable. The opportunity to take on the role of chief executive of Edinburgh City Council was simply too good to pass up. Having the chance to apply for such a job at a time in my career when I was ready to take it on is a once in a lifetime opportunity.
"All local authorities face challenging times ahead, but Aberdeen is well placed to tackle these challenges and I am delighted with the progress and achievements made to date. They are testament to the hard work and dedication of everyone at Aberdeen City Council."
Aberdeen city council leader John Stewart said: “I am delighted for Sue. I would be disappointed if the chief executive here did not have the ambition to take on the post in the capital. I fully appreciate why she wishes to make the move and I congratulate her on her success.
“Sue joined us at a difficult time and she has had a lasting impact on the structure and the operation of the council. I am confident that she has laid the foundations upon which the council can build a successful future.
“Sue will face many of the same challenges in Edinburgh that she faced here, not least given the financial situation facing the entire public sector. I look forward to making common cause with colleagues in Edinburgh in pressing the Scottish Government for support for the lowest funded councils in Scotland.
“The search for a new chief executive will begin immediately. Sue has set the template for kind of ambition and drive we will be looking for in her successor.”
Deputy leader Kevin Stewart added: "I have congratulated Sue Bruce on her appointment, but unfortunately Edinburgh's gain is Aberdeen's loss.
"Mrs Bruce has been an excellent chief executive. She has built up a great team around her and has worked in partnership with Councillors through some difficult times to secure Aberdeen's future."
Mrs Bruce, who in June became the first public sector leader to receive the prince's ambassador in Scotland award, will continue in her role as chief executive of Aberdeen city council for the next three months before taking up her new post in Edinburgh.
Mrs Bruce has worked in local government for more than 30 years. During her time as chief executive of Aberdeen city council she has focussed on the complete re-structuring of services and a review of service performance, governance, accountability and financial performance.
