Moray Council acting Chief Executive takes over the top job

MORAY Council has appointed Roddy Burns as new chief executive.

Mr Burns (53) has fulfilled the role in an acting capacity for the past 15 months and was appointed following a special meeting of the Moray Council.

He succeeds Alastair Keddie, who took early retirement in July following a lengthy absence recuperating from major surgery.

Mr Burns, who is the council’s former chief legal officer, was educated in his native Glasgow and in Ayrshire and studied law at Aberdeen University before joining the former Moray District Council as a trainee solicitor.

He held various legal and administrative posts and was depute director of law and administration at local government reorganisation in 1996.

He was appointed legal services manager with the new Moray Council and became chief legal officer in 2000. Mr Burns, who is married with a teenager son and daughter, said he was delighted to have been appointed chief executive.

“I am very much looking forward to working with all elected members, and with our community planning partners, as we face the many challenges that lie ahead,” he said. “It is an honour and a privilege to have been chosen as chief executive and to have been given the opportunity to serve the people and communities of Moray.”

Council leader Councillor Allan Wright said: “I have worked very closely with Roddy for more than a year in his ‘acting’ capacity and I know that he will bring continued drive and vision to the role of chief executive.

“Members and officers, under Roddy’s leadership, will take the council forward and improve the outcomes for people, even in these difficult financial times.”