Public Health Scotland appoints former Highland Council chief executive

THE former chief executive of Highland Council has been appointed to a new agency charged with reforming the approach to the nation’s main public health challenges.

Launching on Monday, Public Health Scotland will be accountable to both the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities and the Scottish Government but the £60 million agency is not thought to be set to play a leading role in combatting coronavirus.

Steve Barron, the former head of Highland Council, will sit on the board and tweeted that he was "delighted" to be taking up the post "at a time of challenge and opportunity".

Former council colleague Derek Yule, who was director of finance, stated: “That’s great news Steve. Many congratulations”.

Chief executive of High Life Highland, Steve Walsh, wrote: “Congratulations Steve, good luck. A crucial role given what we are experiencing now and how we make sure we are prepared for the future.”

Mr Barron was chief executive of Highland Council until November 2018. His career background is in construction, housing and services with broad experience in local government, the NHS and the private sector.

Public Health Scotland states he brings to the board "clear insights into the challenges facing remote and rural communities and hopes to work within the board to support diverse policy approaches.”

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