Depute Chief Executive at Highland to retire
Alan Geddes, Depute Chief Executive and Director of Finance at The Highland Council, has given notice of his intention to retire at the end of September.
Mr Geddes (60) will have completed 40 years in local government finance when he retires.
As well as undertaking the role of Director of the Finance since September 1998, he has also undertaken the work of Depute Chief Executive since September 2007.
From Dufftown, Mr Geddes joined local government in 1971 following his education at Keith Grammar School and Newcastle Polytechnic .
He is a qualified member of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy and has previously worked in Stirling Council, Central Regional Council, Wiltshire Council and Newcastle Upon Tyne at various stages in his career.
Within his role, he also has responsibility for Procurement, Risk Management and Business Support. In addition he is the Treasurer of the Northern Joint Police Board, Highland and Islands Fire Board and the Highland and Western Isles Joint Valuation Board as well as Treasurer of the Eden Court Theatre in Inverness.
He has served as an examiner and been involved in a variety of CIPFA professional groups over the years and was recently elected to serve on the national governing body. He is a past chairman of the local government Directors of Finance in Scotland.
He is married with four children.
Alistair Dodds, Chief Executive, paid tribute to Mr Geddes’s service to local government.
He said: “I would like to thank Mr Geddes for his outstanding service to the Council since his appointment in September 1998. He has very effectively deputised for me in his role as Depute Chief Executive and has proved a highly able Director of Finance, providing sound guidance to me, the Senior Management Team and elected members.”
Councillor Carolyn Wilson, Chairman of the Resources Committee, said: “The Council is indebted to Mr Geddes for providing us with strategic financial direction, leadership and professional advice and for managing the Finance Service in an effective and professional manner in such challenging times . I have always valued and respected his advice and wish him well in his retirement. ”
In a report being presented to the full council at its next meeting on 23 June, Mr Dodds recommends that the Council advertise the vacancy as the role of Director of Finance is vital at a time when the Council faces some very difficult decisions on financial matters over the next 5 years.
The Director of Finance’s role covers a gross revenue budget of £745 million, a capital budget of around £75million, a HRA revenue budget of £45million, and an HRA capital budget of £25million. The postholder is also currently Treasurer to the Northern Joint Police Board, the Highlands and Islands Fire Board and the Valuation Board, in addition to financial responsibility for a number of other Boards/Council Companies. The post is also responsible for the management of the Council’s Pension Fund which is currently valued at around £1,000million.