Chief Executive - latest update

3 April 2024

Earlier this year, I decided that I would step down as the council's Chief Executive in May - after almost a decade in the job and more than 30 years in local government.

While I've been very touched by all your best wishes - and grateful for them - I've tried to resist looking backwards too much since making my decision public.

Although it was a big one for me, personally, I didn't want it to be a distraction for the council at a really challenging time.

Over recent weeks and months, however, the council has gone through a major recruitment process to identify my successor - and that has concluded with the appointment of someone many of you will know well, Susanne Millar.

I know the strength of our team across the Glasgow family, and I was always confident that there were leaders ready to step forward.

Susanne has been a superb Chief Officer for our Health and Social Care Partnership.

She has spent her entire career working for the people and communities of her home city - and I have no doubt she will be a formidable Chief Executive.

Everybody knows there are some very serious challenges ahead for local government and, having worked closely with Susanne for years, I'm confident she has the drive, the passion and the vision to not only face them, but keep achieving better for Glasgow.

I don't yet know whether I'll miss the job; but I do know I'll miss my colleagues a great deal.

It has been a great privilege to be able to spend almost my entire career at the council, working on behalf of Glasgow and Glaswegians - and to spend so much time with people who have chosen to do the same.

I hope, if you have taken anything from my updates here, it has been how proud I am of the work we do together. I hope you feel that pride too.

From next month, the privilege of leading our team is Susanne's. 

From me, sincere thanks for your kind wishes, for your friendship - and for everything that you do.