News Release

Council appoints new Director of Education and Recreation

14th December 2006

Aberdeenshire Council's Appointments Committee today (Thu, Dec 14) announced that it has appointed Bruce Robertson as the authority's new Director of Education and Recreation.

Bruce Robertson is currently Director of Education, Culture and Sport at The Highland Council where he led his Service to achieve Education Authority of the Year 2006. He is also President of the Association of Directors of Education (Scotland) for 2006 – 2007 and Chairman of the Scottish Committee of Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. In 2005, Bruce’s Service won two Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) Quality Awards.

Between 1974 and 1998, Bruce held a number of education posts in Grampian Regional Council and then Aberdeenshire. His teaching experience includes posts in Bridge of Don Academy, Aboyne Academy, Kemnay Academy, Westhill Academy, followed by service as Secondary Education Officer, Assistant Director Education, Depute Director Education and Head of Education before leaving to join The Highland Council.

Chair of the Appointments Committee, Councillor Audrey Findlay said this morning:

“After a rigorous and challenging selection procedure, the Committee agreed that Bruce is exactly the right candidate to take on this high profile and demanding position.

“Bruce is an experienced director, and has worked at the highest level in a large rural authority. He is ideally suited to take on the challenges of Education and Recreation in Aberdeenshire.”

Councillor Richard Stroud, Chairman of the Council’s Education and Recreation Committee added:

“This is excellent news. I am extremely pleased that Bruce is joining us. 2007 will be an important year for Aberdeenshire’s Education and Recreation Service and Bruce clearly has the drive and experience to work with our staff to deliver success.”

Aberdeenshire Council’s Chief Executive, Alan Campbell commented:

“Bruce has precisely the leadership qualities that we demand of our Directors. He is of the highest calibre with a proven track record of success in the field of education.

“Bruce already has extensive experience of working as teacher and former Head of Education in Aberdeenshire so will understand the challenges ahead.”

Bruce Robertson said today:

“I am both honoured and delighted to have been offered the post here in Aberdeenshire. I spent many years in the education service in the North east of Scotland and am only too well aware of its real strengths.

“I am sure that we can move forward quickly and concentrate on the business of making Aberdeenshire’s Education and Recreation service one of the very best in Scotland.

Bruce Robertson hopes to join Aberdeenshire Council in early 2007. In the meanwhile he will be visiting on regular basis to familiarise himself with current issues. Colin Mackenzie, Aberdeenshire Council’s Director of Housing and Social Work will continue in his dual role as Acting Director of Education and Recreation until Bruce takes up his post.

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