A north-east education chief has revealed she will retire from her role after seven years.
Maria Walker, Aberdeenshire Council’s education director, made the announcement yesterday.
She has confirmed that she will leave her post in April after moving from Perth and Kinross Council.
“Holding this post in Aberdeenshire Council has been the biggest professional privilege of my life,” she said.
“The time is right for me to retire after seeing my team through an exciting and eventful few years.
“We have won awards, improved attainment, helped shape national policy and promoted partnership working across the region.
“It may sound cliched but the work with children, families and our communities has been my driving force. In particular, developing new ways to support vulnerable children and their families has been very important to me.
“I am particularly grateful for the support and encouragement from our elected members which has been the bed rock of our success. I am so proud of the professionalism and humanity of my colleagues and all that they have achieved.”
The director will remain in post until the start of the Easter holidays. The council will start the recruitment process for her replacement in due course.