Former City of Edinburgh Council leader to convene SCVO board

Andrew Burns - Image credit: City of Edinburgh Council

Former City of Edinburgh Council leader Andrew Burns has been appointed as convener the board of trustees of the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO).

He will serve in the voluntary role convening the board of the charities umbrella body for up to six years.

Burns was a Labour councillor for the City of Edinburgh Council for 18 years and led the council for five, before standing down at the local government elections last May.

One of his first tasks in the new position will be to recruit a chief executive to replace Martin Sime, who retired in December 2017 after more than 25 years with the organisation.

Commenting on his appointment, Burns said: “I am so pleased to be taking on this role at a time when civil society space and socially progressive movements everywhere are under pressure, but needed more than ever.

“SCVO has an established position and track record, and I’m excited about contributing to its future strategy for and with Scotland’s charities, voluntary organisations and social enterprises”.