Tributes have been paid to The Highland Council's Director of Education Culture and Sport, Hugh Fraser, who retires on 19 September after seven and a half years leading the council's frontline service.
At the start of The Highland Council's meeting held today (Thursday 4 September) the Convenor of The Highland Council, Councillor Jimmy Gray and Councillor Alastair Christie, Convener of the Council’s Education, Children and Adult Services Committee praised Mr. Fraser for his long service to the Council and Education.
Convener Gray paid tribute saying: "Hugh has had an outstanding career in education spanning some 37 years and has seen a massive transformation in education over this period.
"He was appointed Director of Education, Culture and Sport Service in 2007 - one of the most challenging of posts. We have seen some of the best changes in education during this time and Highland is recognised throughout Scotland as one of the finest education providers.
“Hugh chaired the “Better Eating Better Learning" initiative and has been a strong supporter of Gaelic. His best achievement has been getting the very best out of people. He is an individual with a great sense of humour, great determination and depth and breadth of knowledge. We would all like to wish him a long and happy and very well deserved retirement."
Councillor Christie added: “Education has faced a number of challenges and we have been very fortunate to have had Hugh Fraser. He gives excellent advice and guidance which enables us to make the right decisions. I have always valued Hugh’s advice, support and attention to detail. He will be very much missed and I would like to wish him all the very best in his retirement.”
Hugh was appointed as Director of Education Culture and Sport in March 2007 prior to which he was the Council’s Head of Support Services since 2002.
Educated at Kirkton Primary School, near Inverness, and Inverness Royal Academy, Mr. Fraser taught modern languages and worked in schools in East Lothian, Midlothian and Edinburgh after graduating from Edinburgh University.
He returned to the Highlands in 1988 as assistant divisional education officer for Inverness with Highland Regional Council.
Former chairman of Education Culture and Sport Committee, Wick councill,r Bill Fernie and former vice-chair councillor Drew Miller from Skye also paid tribute to the director for his help and wide knowledge and experience which as always at their disposal.
