The chief executive of Aberdeenshire Council, Colin McKenzie, has announced his retirement this morning.
Mr Mackenzie, who took the helm at the local authority in 2008, will remain in the post until a replacement has been appointed.
He said: “I believe that now is the right time for someone else to lead and shape the council as it moves into the challenging phase of continuing to deliver excellent local services within an era of significant financial constraint.
“I am very confident that we are in an excellent position to manage these challenges both locally and nationally positively.”