Comhairle Appoints New Director Of Corporate Services

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar today unanimously appointed a new Director of Corporate Services from a shortleet of 6 candidates.

The new Director, Mrs Helen Froud, is an ex-army officer and is the first woman director of Corporate Services as well as being only the second woman director in the history of the Comhairle.

She will have responsibility for running the 87 strong Corporate Services Department which includes the personnel, training, legal services, Information Technology functions and a varied mixture of units in Commercial and Public Services.

The Convener of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Mr. Alex Macdonald, said: “This is a key position within the Comhairle and I very much welcome Helen to her new post. There was a very strong field of candidates and it was a difficult choice to make. I would like to thank all those who applied for the position both from within the Comhairle and from further afield. I believe we have made the right choice and I and the rest of the Comhairle very much look forward to working with Helen who I am sure will make a positive contribution to the work of the Comhairle”.

Mrs Froud currrently works for KPMG as a senior manager and previously worked for Worcestershire County Council as Director of Corporate Services. She also worked as Head of Personnel for the Nationwide Building Society and served as a Captain for 5 years with the British Army. She was educated at Torells School in Grays and the University of Wales where she graduated with a B.A. (Hons) in Geography. She also attended Salisbury College and Henley Management College where she obtained an MBA. The new Director is a member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.

The former soldier is married with 2 children and has previously visited the Islands.

Helen will take up her new post with the Comhairle within three months.

Ends

Issued by Nigel Scott
Communications Officer

Tel: 01851 709389 (Work)
Tel: 01851 706412 (Home)
Tel: 07884 236103 (Mobile)
email: nscott@cne-siar.gov.uk