Highland Council appoints Debbie Sutton to the £109,285 role as operations and maintenance boss as part of a major management restructure
Highland Council confirms Debbie Sutton has been appointed to the £109,285 role of chief officer for operations and maintenance.
It is part of a major management shake-up by the council that has clarified the responsibilities of senior management.
Top Highland Council bosses pay to tally more than £2.1 million annually
Highland Council appoints four officials to new £105,487 a year roles
£124,787 for each of the three new assistant chief executives at Highland Council
The new structure sees the chief executive sit at the top, reporting to him are three assistant chief executives heading up “service clusters”.
So Ms Sutton will be working in the Place “cluster” under the Assistant Chief Executive – Place Malcolm Macleod.
The council said it is “the fourth of five key appointments within the council’s newly restructured senior management team for the place service cluster.”
Debbie Sutton has worked at the council for 19 years and is currently the acting strategic lead for community operations and logistics but will start immediately.
She holds a degree in Hospitality Management and brings extensive experience in insourcing, strategic reviews, and strategy development.
Her work includes the original development of the Greenspace Strategy for Inverness in 2006, as well as the more recent and nationally recognised Play Park Strategy.
She has also led and managed a wide range of operational services, including Grounds Maintenance, Play Areas and Public Conveniences.
Convener Bill Lobban said: “I warmly congratulate Debbie on her new role. She brings a wealth of experience and strong leadership that will be a tremendous asset to Highland Council.”
Leader Raymond Bremner, added: “I’m encouraged by the continued progress in implementing our new senior management structure. These appointments are a key step in delivering the efficiencies agreed in our February 2024 budget.
“The restructure is expected to generate initial savings of £370,000, with long-term savings projected to reach approximately 20% of senior management costs.”
