Dame Sue Bruce, the chief executive of Edinburgh City Council, has announced she is to retire from local government service.
She has informed Council Leader Andrew Burnsand his deputy Steve Cardownie of her plans to leave her post when she turns 60 in October. She will formally give notice at next Thursday's council meeting.
The search for her replacement will begin immediately.
Dame Sue took up her post in January, 2011 having previously held the same role at both Aberdeen City Council and East Dunbartonshire Council. She began her local government career 39 years ago.
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.
"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."
Andrew Burns 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 beyondthe 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."
Steve Cardownie added: "Our attention now turns to finding a high calibre replacement; an individual capable of building upon the platform laid by Sue during her years inpost while taking on the undoubted challenges we face as a council in the years ahead."
In November 2013, Sue was awarded the Chief Executive of the Year in the Hr NETWORK National awards. October 2014 saw her named the UK City Leader of the Year in the prestigious MIPIM UK awards for her work in driving the city's economic development achievements.
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