Aberdeen’s Lord Provost, George Adam, has revealed he will not stand again at next year’s council elections.
The Hilton, Stockethill and Woodside Labour member has served as a councillor since being elected in 1999.
Following the election of the Labour-led administration in 2012, Mr Adam was promoted to the role of provost where he has carried out a wide range of civic functions.
A planned trip to Japan and Korea early next year to boost the city’s trade ties with the far east is likely to be his last foreign trip in a ceremonial role.
Mr Adam is the latest prominent Labour councillor to announce they are not seeking re-election, joining infrastructure convener Neil Cooney, George Street and Harbour councillor Nathan Morrison and long-serving councillor Len Ironside.
Mr Adam said yesterday it had been “the greatest honour” to serve as Lord Provost.
He added: “It has been a huge privilege to serve as Lord Provost of Aberdeen. It has been the greatest honour of my life and I have thoroughly enjoyed my time in the role.
“Next May, I will have been an elected member of the Council for eighteen years and Lord Provost for the last five.
“The time is right to explore new opportunities and take on a new challenge. I’ve learned a great deal as a councillor and as Lord Provost and hope to put the experience to good use.
“The role of Lord Provost has allowed me to see first-hand the excellent work being done across the public, private, and third sectors in Aberdeen. It has also allowed me to experience in depth the city’s cultural offering which I believe is vastly undervalued and under-appreciated.
“Each and every day in this job, I have been humbled by stories of the work done by volunteers and charities in this city.
“The many people who go out of their way to give their time, talents and money so freely for the benefit of others is something Aberdeen can be very proud of.
“This is a city of great innovation which thrives on an in-built entrepreneurial spirit.
“There are huge opportunities for the future and Aberdeen will continue to be at the forefront of the Scottish and UK economies. “
