Perth and Kinross Council chief executive Karen Reid has quit after just over two years in the role.
Mrs Reid, who has been instrumental in creating the much-vaunted ‘Perth and Kinross Offer’, has been appointed head of NHS Education for Scotland.
Her appointment was announced by health secretary Jeane Freeman on Wednesday.
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Mrs Reid said she it had been an “incredibly difficult decision” to leave Perth and Kinross Council, which she joined in June 2018.
She added: “Day in, day out every colleague goes above and beyond to ensure residents, business and visitors enjoy good experiences and outcomes to live life well.
“It is the hard work and commitment of colleagues that makes Perth and Kinross Council a truly fantastic organisation.
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“As a resident of Perth and Kinross I will enjoy watching the area flourish and I wish each and every one of my colleagues every success in the future.”
Council leader Murray Lyle said he was “disappointed” Mrs Reid was leaving.
He said: “She will undoubtedly be a loss to Perth and Kinross. She is an outstanding chief executive, combining hard work with vision.
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“In my relationship with her as leader of the council, I have found her to be absolutely first-class and she has been a tremendous leader of staff at Perth and Kinross.”
SNP group leader Grant Laing added: “Having known Karen since when she was interviewed for the job and having worked closely with her as leader of the opposition, I know how capable a person she is and how approachable to elected members she is.
“It is a huge loss for Perth and Kinross.”
