Inverclyde Council has named Louise Long as its new chief executive.

Ms Long is currently chief officer of the Inverclyde Join Board and corporate director of health and social care partnership at the council. She replaces current chief, Aubrey Fawcett, who will retire after five years in post.

Council leader Stephen McCabe said: ‘Louise becomes the first woman to hold the job of chief executive in the council breaking another barrier and I hope inspiring women and girls across Inverclyde.

‘The role of chief executive will allow Louise to take all of the skills and experience she has built throughout her career and to use those to lead the corporate management team through COVID recovery and beyond.’

Ms Long said: ‘My time with Inverclyde since joining has been inspiring seeing how public service staff have responded to supporting the community especially during the pandemic.

‘I aim to build on the work that has been done and ensure that Inverclyde continues to nurture our communities, deliver excellent public services and be a force for good for each and every part of our area.’

The new chief executive joined the council in 2017, and was previously head of children and families and chief social work officer at Argyll and Bute council. She began her career at Glasgow City Council as a social worker, and held roles at East Renfrewshire Council, South Ayrshire and Aberlour Childcare Trust.