Council appoints new Finance director

North Ayrshire Council has appointed a new Corporate Director of Finance and Infrastructure.

 

Laura Friel is to replace Alasdair Herbert, who is retiring after 16 years' service with the local authority.  The latter part of Mr Herbert’s tenure has been marked by controversy, including the Council depositing £15-million in two Icelandic banks that subsequently collapsed, and paying-out over £200,000 to a fraudster who submitted a fake invoice.

 

Ms Friel leaves Renfrewshire Council, where she held the post of ‘Head of Change and Customer Services’, a position a North Ayrshire spokesperson suggested would stand her in good stead as NAC “undertakes an ambitious programme of change, focusing resources towards the most important Council services.”

 

The Corporate Director is a graduate of Glasgow University and has 25 years’ experience working within local government finance departments.  Commenting on her new appointment, Ms Friel said, “I am delighted to have been offered the post of Corporate Director of Finance and Infrastructure at North Ayrshire Council.

  

“I am really looking forward to working with my new colleagues to help deliver excellent services at a challenging, yet exciting, time for the public sector.”

 

Elma Murray, Chief Executive of North Ayrshire Council, added, "Laura will be a great addition to the corporate management team of the Council and we are all looking forward to her arrival.

 

“The position of Corporate Director of Finance and Infrastructure is a vital one to the future success of North Ayrshire Council.”

 

Ms Murray concluded, “I am confident that Laura's experience and success in progressing Renfrewshire Council's change programme will stand us in good stead as we continue with our own programme.”

 

That opinion was echoed by the political leader of the Council, Labour’s David O’Neill, who said, “Laura arrives in North Ayrshire at a time when many changes and challenges are necessary. Her experience will be invaluable and she will be an important addition to the Council over the next few years.”