Chief Executive to retire from Council

Eddie’s local government career began over 40 years ago, when he joined Strathclyde Regional Council on an employability training programme and took opportunities for development to qualify as a social worker. In 1996 he joined Glasgow City Council before moving to East Ayrshire Council in 1998. 

Eddie became Head of Community Care/Chief Social Work Officer in 2008 and then Director of East Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership in 2014. Eddie was appointed Chief Executive of East Ayrshire Council in 2020 - becoming the first social worker to be appointed to the role of local authority Chief Executive in Scotland.  

Eddie was also the Portfolio lead for Health and Social Care for SOLACE Scotland, the professional body for Chief Executives and Senior Managers working in local government in Scotland. 

Due to family commitments Eddie Fraser is no longer able to fulfil his role as Chief Executive of East Ayrshire Council and as previously intimated, Joe McLachlan, former Director of Finance and Digital, will now officially assume the role of Chief Executive of East Ayrshire Council. These arrangements will remain in place until October 2027.   

Eddie commented: "It has been a privilege and a joy to serve the people and communities of East Ayrshire and to work with Elected Members, employees of the Council and partners from public, private and voluntary sectors."

Councillor Douglas Reid, Leader of the Council, said: "I have known Eddie since he joined East Ayrshire Council in 1998 and I worked closely with him, particularly in his role as Director of Health and Social Care since 2014, and as Chief Executive since 2020.  I want to thank Eddie for his service to East Ayrshire Council, it has been a pleasure working with him, and on behalf of all Elected Members we wish Eddie a long and happy retirement."