The chief executive of the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) has been recognised in the Queen’s new year honours list.
Rory Mair, who was appointed to the role in 2002, received a CBE for services to local government.
COSLA president David O’Neill welcomed the news, saying: “I am absolutely delighted for Rory. It is well deserved recognition for the job he has done as chief executive and the superb leadership he has shown in not only rebuilding COSLA but in re-establishing it as a credible national organisation during his tenure in charge.
“To lead a cross-party political organisation for the period Rory has been in charge is a considerable feat in itself – but to do it with the style and panache he has brought to the job is remarkable. During his time as chief executive, COSLA has been asked big questions for uncertain times and Rory has always offered innovative suggestions and delivered solutions that work. The last few years in local government have been extremely difficult and he has shown great leadership, strength, and vision through it all. Rory is a bright guy, he has charisma and the staff at COSLA enjoy working for him.”
O’Neill said it is also a feather in the cap for COSLA as an organisation to have their chief executive recognised in this way.
He added: “Often local government is only in the media spotlight when something has gone wrong. For once it is nice to see recognition for one of the talented people that work in local government and what is even better, it is happening to an individual who combines both tremendous ability and has the added bonus of being a genuinely nice person.”
Kate Shannon
After graduating from Glasgow University with a degree in English and Scottish Literature, Kate has been working as a journalist since 2005. She started out in the colourful world of local newspapers, both in her home region of Dumfries and Galloway and in Fife, before working for a national news agency based at the Scottish Parliament. Kate joined the Holyrood team in 2011 as Local Government Correspondent, covering everything from the nuances of the planning system to quizzing council leaders and chief executives. She is passionate about Scotland's varied and interesting local government landscape and is an advocate of social media. Kate is particularly devoted to Twitter and likes to mix the two worlds by tweeting from major events and on the...