Nation's longest-serving council chief set to retire

Mr Linkston, 60, started working for West Lothian County Council when he was just 15 years old and is the longest serving chief executive of a local authority in Scotland.

The grandfather-of-one has worked for West Lothian Council all his working life and was the youngest council chief executive when he was appointed in January 1990.

Acknowledged as a leading light in public sector reform, he has a range of significant achievements under his belt. Among the most recent was the official opening of the West Lothian Civic Centre in 2009 – the biggest public sector partnership of its kind in the UK.

Under Mr Linkston's leadership, the council was also named UK Council of the Year in 2006.

"Winning that was a huge thrill. West Lothian Council was the only Scottish council to ever win it," Mr Linkston, who lives in Linlithgow, said.

He added: "My retirement is one of those days that I never thought would come. I'll miss the job, I have enjoyed working with the council and we have achieved a lot over the years. I have seen quite a few changes in that period too. The whole culture in the public sector has changed. It's gone from administering services to managing services, to now transformational management of services."

The father-of-two, who is married to Margaret, 59, started working for the council as a trainee accountant at the age of 15. He became director of finance in 1986, before taking on the role of chief executive four years later.

Mr Linkston said he was particularly looking forward to not having to spend his Sundays reading council papers. Instead he will spend his free time hill-walking and cycling, and even plans to take part in The Auld Alliance Cycle Ride from Edinburgh to Paris in September. Mr Linkston, who will retire in September, was awarded a CBE in the New Year Honours List in December 2007, and Quality Scotland's Leadership Award in the same year. This year he received the Prince's Trust accolade "Volunteer of the Year".

Mr Linkston is also looking forward to welcoming his second grandchild into the world in July. He added: "We have got a really dedicated staff at the council who have been a joy to work with.

I have had a wonderful career in West Lothian and I am very grateful for all the support I have had from both councillors and staff."

Mr Linkston's decision to retire will be reported to a meeting of the full council on 27 April. A successor is still to be appointed.