This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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New Permanent Secretary appointed
03/06/2003
The new Permanent Secretary to the Scottish Executive is
to be John Elvidge, presently the head of the Finance and
Central Services Division.
Mr Elvidge will replace Sir Muir Russell KCB, who is
leaving to take up a post as Principal and Vice Chancellor
of the University of Glasgow.
His appointment, to take effect on July 4, has been
recommended by a board chaired by the First Civil Service
Commissioner which included representatives from the wider
public and private sectors.
It was an open competition involving candidates from
both public and private sectors. The recommendation has
been agreed by the First Minister and by the Prime
Minister.
Mr Elvidge said:
"I will be proud to be the Permanent Secretary of the
Scottish Executive. The people who work in the organisation
have achieved a lot in the first four years of devolution
and morale is high. I look forward to leading them in
responding successfully to the aspirations of the people of
Scotland in the years that lie ahead."
Sir Muir, who has been the top civil servant in Scotland
for more than five years and who announced his intention to
join the university last October, commented that he had
known and worked with John Elvidge for over 30 years, and
had every confidence that he would be an effective and
successful leader of the Executive.
First Minister Jack McConnell said:
"I congratulate John Elvidge on his appointment. He
takes over at a time when the Scottish Executive faces the
big challenge of delivering our plans for the next four
years working closely with our stakeholders. I know that
his skills and experience equip him well to lead the
organisation in supporting Ministers to achieve that. I
look forward to working with him."
Biography
John Elvidge was educated at Oxford University (BA
English). He joined the Scottish Office in 1973, working
first in education and subsequently in most other
departments.
He was seconded to Scottish Homes (1988-89) and the
Cabinet Office (1998-99), where he worked on co-ordination
of the UK Government's legislative programme and social
policies. He was Head of the Executive's Education
Department from May 1999 before being appointed Head of
FCSD in March 2002.
Mr Elvidge lists his interests as sport, the arts, food
and wine.