South Ayrshire Council has appointed a new director of housing, operations and development and confirmed its new depute chief executive.

Following a recruitment and selection process, councillors appointed Kevin Braidwood to the high-profile director role.

Mr Braidwood has more than 40 years’ experience in housing, civil engineering, architectural design and urban regeneration within local government.

He is a graduate of Glasgow Caledonian University and the University of Strathclyde.

Mr Braidwood started his career with Strathkelvin District Council architectural services and thereafter he moved to East Dunbartonshire roads and architectural services. He spent several years with Raploch Urban Regeneration Company before joining South Ayrshire Council as roads manager. 

He was involved with the formation of Ayrshire Roads Alliance, becoming Head of Ayrshire Roads Alliance, his current role. He is a chartered member of CIOB and CIAT, Associate Member of RICS, ICE.CABE and a member of CIH.

Mr Braidwood is also the treasurer of SCOTS, a board member of Abertay Housing Association, chair of the SW Timber Transport Forum and a board member of the Clyde Marine Planning Partnership.

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The council said he will work alongside Chief Executive Mike Newall to support the delivery of strategic plans that ensure the effective management and governance of the council, in line with its 2023-28 plans.  Mr Braidwood will take up his new post in early 2024.

Lyndsay McRoberts, currently the council’s director of education, will become depute chief executive and director of education.

Ms McRoberts has previously worked as a head teacher in both South Ayrshire and South Lanarkshire.  She was South Ayrshire’s first-ever executive head teacher, overseeing both Kyle and Ayr academies simultaneously.

She is also a non-executive board member of Education Scotland, an advisory council member of the Scottish Qualifications Authority and an associate assessor for Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Education.

Ms McRoberts will take up her additional responsibilities with immediate effect.

Mr Newall said: “Congratulations to Kevin on his recent appointment.  Kevin brings with him many years’ experience working across a range of roles in local authority. 

"As part of his director remit, Kevin will head up a diverse range of services, and I’ll look forward to working with him to realise the ambitions of the council plan.

“I’m also delighted to confirm that Lyndsay McRoberts will be our new depute chief executive. 

"Lyndsay is currently our Director of Education and possesses an impressive career history in local authority educational services. 

"It’ll be a privileged to work closely with Lyndsay to uphold the highest standards in everything we do as a council.”