Aberdeen City Council appoints new chief exec

Aberdeen City Council has announced that Valerie Watts, the current chief executive of Derry City Council, has been appointed as its new chief executive.

Watts has worked in local government since 1989 and prior to that the health service in Northern Ireland from 1983.

City Council leader Councillor John Stewart said: "We are absolutely delighted to have chosen Valerie as our new chief executive, following a rigorous nationwide recruitment programme.

"Valerie was the outstanding candidate in a very high-calibre field. She is highly qualified and has a wide-ranging background in Scottish local government and the health service in Northern Ireland, and it was clear to the appointment panel that she has the energy, enthusiasm and the vision to take Aberdeen City Council forward building on the work of Sue Bruce.

"She has an excellent track record of success at Derry City Council, transforming the organisation, leading on the new regeneration plan for the City of Derry and succeeding both with the bid by Derry to become the first UK City of Culture for 2013 and to secure Derry's place as a stage on the world-renowned clipper race.

"Valerie has led the development of the business plan to secure the sustainable future for Derry City Airport and has also been instrumental in developing a strategic economic masterplan for the North West region of Northern Ireland. I look forward to working with Valerie and I am confident that she will bring a flavour of this success to her work in Aberdeen."

Valerie Watts said: "I am delighted to accept the job of chief executive of Aberdeen City Council. I look forward to moving to the North-east and to the new challenges that a thriving, international city like Aberdeen will bring. This is a very exciting opportunity and I am looking forward to working hard with elected members, colleagues and key partners to deliver on Aberdeen's priorities.

"The out-going chief executive, Sue Bruce, has set Aberdeen City Council firmly on the road to becoming a high-performing local authority. In just two years she has helped to restructure the whole organisation and stabilise the finances. I fully intend to build on her achievements and to continue the improvement work.

"This is a pivotal period for the public sector. We are all going to have to bring fresh ideas, imagination and creativity to meet the undoubted challenges ahead. As chief executive, I will provide real leadership for our workforce and make sure we deliver a first-class service for the people, the organisations and the businesses of Aberdeen."

It is expected that she will take up her post in late February/early March 2011.