The chief executive of Perth and Kinross Council has announced her retirement.
Bernadette Malone will stand down at the beginning of July.
She has been in post for 15 years, following a long career in local government spanning back to 1990.
She said: “It has been a tremendous privilege to be chief executive of one of Scotland’s leading council for the past 15 years. The council has a fantastic workforce, and is supported by a wide range of individuals and partner organisations in the third sector, public and private sectors.
“I consider myself very fortunate to have worked with so many talented and dedicated people including community leaders and representatives. I greatly appreciate the support I have had from my colleagues and elected members throughout my time in local government.
“My successor will take over a high performing, sector leading organisation, which is at the forefront of many innovative developments in public services.”
Councillor Murray Lyle, the council’s new leader following the death of councillor Ian Campbell, said: “We in Perth and Kinross have been extremely fortunate to have Bernadette as our chief executive for the last 15 years.
“Perth and Kinross is a sector-leading organisation, at the forefront of many public sector innovation, particularly around child welfare and education. This is the legacy Bernadette will leave behind, and we wish her the very best in the future.”
Ms Malone had previously worked at Tayside Regional Council and Clackmannan District.
She has a Master of Arts Degree from Dundee University, a teaching certificate and diploma in education.
In 2012, she was awarded the CBE in recognition of her services to local government.
SNP MSP Roseanna Cunningham said Ms Malone was a “pioneer and trail blazer for women in the highest echelons of local government administration, one of the first women to be appointed to the position of chief executive of a Scottish local authority.”
Former council leader Ian Miller added: “Bernadette provided outstanding support to me and my fellow councillors as well as inspirational leadership of the council work force.
“Her hands-on and enthusiastic approach has been instrumental in guiding the council through the extended period of necessary change and modernisation which has been undertaken over recent years.”
Mr Miller said: “Many of her innovations have been ground breaking within local government leading to her being recognised by her colleagues as one of the most influential and trusted figures across the whole of Scotland’s local authorities.
Bernadette will be a hard act to follow and I am immensely proud and privileged to have worked with her over many years.
“I wish her all the very best and many years of good health in her retirement.”
