WOMEN will run two of Scotland's largest cities after a lawyer was handed the top job at Glasgow City Council.
Annemarie O'Donnell will become the city's first female chief executive when she takes over from George Black, who is due to retire next month after more than a decade in the role.
Sue Bruce holds the same role at City of Edinburgh Council. She was last month named the best council boss in the UK.
Ms O'Donnell, who has been the council's executive director of corporate services since 2011, was chosen by a panel of senior officers and councillors and will be paid a salary of just less than £160,000 per year.
The 49-year-old said: "I am delighted and humbled to have been appointed. This is a really exciting time for Glasgow.
"There is no doubt the next few years will be challenging for everyone in local government.
"But I believe we have the energy, the ideas and, crucially, the best people to meet those challenges."
In her previous role, Ms O'Donnell's remit covered legal services, elections, human resources, procurement, city resilience, customer and business support and corporate governance.
A member of the Law Society of Scotland, she has two adult children and her husband is a lawyer specialising in criminal law. She worked her way to the top of the authority after joining in 1991 as a member of its legal department.
Gordon Matheson, leader of Glasgow City Council, said: "I am delighted to announce that Annemarie O'Donnell has been appointed as the new chief executive of Glasgow City Council. The quality of candidates was exceptionally high but Annemarie brings a wealth of experience, passion and vision to the role and was the unanimous choice of the interview panel.
"There has never been a more exciting time to work in Glasgow, with the city in the spotlight like never before following the best ever Commonwealth Games and the signing of Scotland's first City Deal. I am in no doubt that Annemarie is the best possible choice to lead our dedicated and talented staff through the next chapter in our city's long and proud history.
"I also want to take this opportunity to thank George Black for his exceptional work on behalf of the city and wish him every happiness and success in the future."
In a message to staff, Mr Black said: "Annemarie and I have worked together for many years and I know that she is absolutely dedicated to the council and the city. I often say we have the best people in local government and Annemarie is undoubtedly the best person to lead our team."
Ms O'Donnell was seen as one of the frontrunners for the post when Mr Black announced in August that he would be standing down. It had been expected that the authority would appoint its first female chief executive, with finance chief Lynn Brown and North Ayrshire boss Elma Murray also seen as strong contenders.
The new chief will face significant challenges, with budgets that have already been cut significantly expected to be slashed further in coming years.
Ms O'Donnell will assume responsibility for a £2.3 billion budget and a workforce of 30,000, serving a population of 600,000.
Labour MSP Margaret McCulloch, convenor of the Scottish Parliament's Equal Opportunities Committee, welcomed the appointment. She said: "Annemarie O'Donnell takes over one of the top jobs in local government at a challenging time for the public sector but I wish her every success in her new role.
"This appointment is a source of encouragement to those of us who want to see women represented fairly at a senior level in both the public and private sectors."
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