New chief executive of Inverclyde Council appointed

Louise Long has been appointed as the new chief executive of Inverclyde Council.

Long is currently chief officer for the Inverclyde Integration Joint Board and corporate director of the Inverclyde Health and Social Care Partnership. She took up those posts in May 2017. 

Prior to that she was head of children and families and justice, as well as chief social work officer, at Argyll and Bute Council from 2015 to 2017 after joining the council in 2012 as head of children’s services.

Long started her career at Glasgow City Council as a social worker and has held social work management roles with East Renfrewshire Council and as head of service at South Ayrshire as well as working with children’s charity Aberlour for five years.

She replaces current chief executive Aubrey Fawcett, who is set to retire from the council on 19 September after five years in the job, with Long taking up the post immediately after.

She said: “I am delighted to be appointed chief executive of Inverclyde Council. 

“My time with Inverclyde since joining has been inspiring seeing how public service staff have responded to supporting the community especially during the pandemic.

“I aim to build on the work that has been done and ensure that Inverclyde continues to nurture our communities, deliver excellent public services and be a force for good for each and every part of our area.”

Inverclyde Council leader Councillor Stephen McCabe added: “Louise has been corporate director with the council for four years and has consistently shown both her leadership skills and compassion in the health and social care partnership. 

“During the pandemic she has led from the front in ensuring that Inverclyde’s health and care response has helped to protect and support our community.

“Louise becomes the first woman to hold the job of chief executive in the council, breaking another barrier and I hope inspiring women and girls across Inverclyde.

“The role of chief executive will allow Louise to take all of the skills and experience she has built throughout her career and to use those to lead the corporate management team through COVID recovery and beyond.

“COVID presents public services with some unique challenges but looking ahead Scotland’s councils face a huge number of challenges including how they are supported financially to deliver what is best for our communities. 

“I have no doubt that Louise will be ready for those challenges from day one.”