New SIC director of corporate services appointed

Shetland Islands Council has appointed Christine Ferguson as its new director of corporate services. Mrs Ferguson, who is currently director of community care services, joined the authority in 1986, working within corporate services and social work before taking on the management of community care in 2002.

She has also been joint SIC/NHS Shetland director of community care since July last year and the council said discussions would now get under way with NHS Shetland on the best way forward on that joint post.

SIC chief executive Alistair Buchan highlighted the importance of the appointment.

He said: “In my experience, having an effective corporate director is critical to the success of any council. Local government is about the frontline services it provides, but if you don’t have good governance supporting those services – led by a strong director – you run a high risk of failure.

“Christine has demonstrated the qualities and abilities necessary to take on this demanding role, and we all wish her every success in the job.”

SIC political leader Josie Simpson added: “The appointment panel was very impressed by the high calibre of candidates for this post. We wish Christine all the very best as she takes on her new role.”