Appointment of Depute Chief Executive

The Highland Council has appointed a new Depute Chief Executive. He is Steve Barron, the Council’s Director of Housing and Property.
 
Mr Barron will continue in his present role as Director of Housing and Property and take up his additional duties  as Depute Chief Executive on 1 October when the current Depute Chief Executive, Alan Geddes, retires after 40 years in local government and the last 13 as Director of Finance.  
 
Mr Barron was appointed by a senior members’ appointment panel on Wednesday.
 
He joined the Council as Director of Housing and Property early in 2008.  He had been managing director of Robertsons Facilities Management, Inverness, for eight years. His previous experience included 13 years in the health service in Lothian and Highland, where he was Head of Facilities with the former Highland Primary Care Trust.
 
Married with three sons, he was educated at Lochardil Primary School and Inverness Royal Academy.
 
Mr Barron said: “I’m honoured to be appointed to this post and committed to playing my part in ensuring that the Highlands is a great place to live and work. Alan Geddes will be a hard act to follow.”