Chief executive of City of Edinburgh Council is to retire from local government

City of Edinburgh Council chief executive Sue Bruce has announced her intention to retire.

Bruce plans to leave when she turns 60 in October but the council has said the search for her replacement will start immediately.

She said: “From my first job as a Youth and Community Worker for Strathclyde Regional Council back in 1976, I have been hugely proud to dedicate my entire working life to local government and public service.

 I have been hugely proud to dedicate my entire working life to local government and public service

“Serving as chief executive of the City of Edinburgh Council, particularly during such a challenging and exciting time for the capital, has undoubtedly been the pinnacle of my career and I am proud of what we have achieved together during my time here. There is still much to do and I will continue to focus on that until I handover to my successor.”

Bruce will formally give notice at next Thursday’s council meeting.

She became chief executive in Edinburgh in January 2011, having previously held the same role at both Aberdeen City Council and East Dunbartonshire Council.

Council leader Andrew Burns paid tribute to her work over the years.

He said: “Sue has successfully tackled some key challenges during her time as Chief Executive and has achieved real progress for the Council.

“Of particular note was her leadership in resolving the tram dispute, paving the way for the completion of the project and successful launch of passenger services last May, and her decisive yet sensitive handing of the Mortonhall baby ashes investigation.

“From the outset, she has worked tirelessly and well beyond the normal expectations of the role. This is particularly true of her support of charities, building relationships with the business community and other key partners and improving the job prospects of young people across Edinburgh.”

Most recently, Bruce was made a Dame Commander of the order of the British Empire in the 2015 New Year’s Honours list.