Moray Council Chief Executive Roddy Burns announces retirement

Moray Council have announced that chief executive Roddy Burns will step down from his role this year.

Mr Burns will retire at a date still to be confirmed in 2024 after 42 years of public service, 12 of which were served as the local authority's chief executive.

The council says that the search to find Mr Burns' replacement will begin immediately to allow for a seamless transition.

Mr Burns said: "I appreciate the extremely privileged position I’ve had to be at the heart of local government in Moray for over a decade and the time is right for me personally to look ahead to retirement.

“I’ve dedicated my career in public service to serving the people of Moray to the best of my ability and am proud to have worked alongside some extraordinary public servants during that time.

“The role is more than a job and I know my successor will get to experience the same wonderful highs I’ve had and be prepared for the more challenging aspects of leading a local authority.

"Everybody is well aware of the exceptionally tough times councils have faced and are facing as they strive to continue providing excellent services under ever-changing circumstances.

"I do know, however, that whoever steps into the chief executive’s office in Moray Council will have a resilient, hard-working and innovative team of colleagues around them."

Mr Burns was educated in his native Glasgow and Ayrshire before making the move to Aberdeen to study Law.

He then joined the former Moray District Council as a trainee solicitor and held various legal and administrative posts.

Mr Burs was appointed legal services manager with Moray Council and became chief legal officer in 2000.

And, after a a period as acting chief executive for 15 months, he succeeded Alistair Keddie in the role permanently in 2012.

Council leader, Councillor Kathleen Robertson, said: “Having started at the council as an apprentice, Roddy spent 36 of his year 42 years service in chief officer roles, has been through six internal restructures, one regional reorganisation, two referenda, a global pandemic, and the death of the longest reigning monarch. I think we can agree his retirement is well deserved.

“On a personal level, Roddy welcomed me to the council chambers as part of the new intake of elected members in 2022 and guided me through my early days as a council leader.

"His experience and knowledge shone through and I’m extremely grateful on behalf of councillors both past and present, as well as council staff, for his professionalism and resilience in a role that is difficult for even the most experienced.

“I look forward to working with the next generation of leadership in what is often termed the most challenging but exciting non-elected job in local government.”