Highland Council appoints Chief Officers
30th January 2025
The Highland Council has appointed Ruth Fry as Chief Officer - Human Resources and Communications and Paul Reid as Chief Officer – Facilities and Fleet Management.
The appointment of Ruth Fry completes the new senior management structure of the Council's Corporate service cluster under the leadership of Allan Gunn, Assistant Chief Executive – Corporate.
Paul Reid joins the Council’s Place service cluster under the leadership of Malcolm MacLeod, Assistant Chief Executive – Place.
As previously intimated in Highland Council’s budget plan for 2024/25, a new senior management structure is being implemented following approval by the Council on 14 March 2024. It reconfigures the senior management team into two layers, rather than three and brings Highland Council into line with other benchmarked authorities.
Convener of the Council Cllr Bill Lobban said: "I would like to congratulate Ruth and Paul on their appointments and welcome them to The Highland Council. They bring with them a wealth of experience and leadership to the Council."
Leader of the Council, Cllr Raymond Bremner added: “With these latest appointments I am pleased to see the Council’s senior management structure progressing with continued pace. The new structure is forecasted to initially deliver savings of £370,000 as part of the budget savings agreed by Council in February 2024, and it is anticipated that savings will eventually equate to around 20% of senior management team costs as part of a more streamlined management structure.”
Ruth Fry is currently NHS Highland’s Head of Communications and Engagement, with extensive public sector experience and is expected to start with Highland Council on 28 April 2025. Ruth has previously worked for Edinburgh, Clackmannanshire and Perth and Kinross councils in communications and performance roles. For the past four years she has lived and worked in the Highlands, leading staff and public communications and engagement for NHS Highland.
Paul Reid is currently employed by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde as Head of Transport and Travel and has been there since 2017. Prior to his current role he worked with Aberdeen City Council and private sector organisations including Stagecoach in Fleet Compliance and Management. Paul has an MSC in Logistics and Supply Chain Management and has extensive experience in ensuring efficient and safe operations. Paul is expected to start with Highland Council in early May and is looking forward to relocating to the Highlands with his family.
Related Businesses
Related Articles
Following the deadline for nominations, The Highland Council can confirm that the following community councils have received sufficient nominations and will form uncontested:. Carrbridge Community Council Kilmuir and Logie Easter Portree and Braes Resolis Sinclairs Bay Tannach and District. Unfortunately, the following four Community Councils failed to form: Bower Conon Bridge Lochalsh Smithton There will another opportunity to try and form these in August 2025 when the next Notice of Election will be published. .
Members of The Highland Council's Economy and Infrastructure Committee have unanimously endorsed the Regional Economic Strategy produced by the Highlands and Islands Regional Economic Partnership. The Highlands and Islands Regional Economic Partnership (HIREP) is a partnership of public, private, third sector and academic organisations, working together to realise the regions' economic potential in a sustainable and inclusive way.
Members of The Highland Council's Economy and Infrastructure Committee have agreed the council’s response to the National Speed Limit Review Transport Scotland is currently running on behalf of the Scottish Government. The review seeks views on proposed changes to speed limits in Scotland.
Members of the Economy and Infrastructure Committee have had the opportunity to be updated on progress being made for the Community Wealth Building action plan when they met on Thursday 13 February 2025. They have given their backing to a stand-alone Highland Social Value Charter update report coming to their May 2025 committee.
An 8% rent increase has been agreed for council homes in 2025/26, in order to meet increasing costs and the need to provide future housing options while keeping rent affordable for tenants. An attempt by a group of councillors to keep he rise to 6 % was voted down by the SNP led administration.
# 13 February 2025 Update on UK Shared Prosperity Fund Delivery Plan progress An update on the progress being made across a range of interventions under the UK Government funded UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) priorities of Communities and Places, Supporting Local Business and People and Skills was noted by Members of the Economy and Infrastructure Committee today (Thursday 13 February 2025). The report included reference to the Highland UKSPF allocation for 2025/26 and the work being progressed to establish a Delivery Plan for the coming financial year.
The public will be invited to submit their views on how to make the Council Tax system fairer, as part of wider efforts to explore options and build a consensus for potential reform. As part of a joint programme of engagement by the Scottish Government and COSLA, independent analysis will also be commissioned to examine the Council Tax system accounting for market changes, reforms, and improvements.
Members of the Economy and Infrastructure Committee will have the opportunity to discuss progress being made for the Community Wealth Building action plan when they meet next week. The Council's Community Wealth Building Strategy 2024 - 2027 provides an alternative approach to economic development and a practical response that aims to keep wealth within a local area.
Yesterday (Tuesday 4 February) the Leader of The Highland Council Cllr Raymond Bremner along with the Chair of the Economy and Infrastructure Committee Cllr Ken Gowans visited the depot of D&E Coaches. This followed the completion of the deal for the council to acquire the business.
The Highland Council is preparing a new and important planning document called the Highland Local Development Plan. The plan will ultimately be used to determine planning applications and steer future development and investment in your area.