Title

HUMAN RESOURCES

COSLA announces new chief executive

The national association of Scottish councils today announced a new chief executive.

The national association of Scottish councils has today announced a new chief executive.

Jane O'Donnell replaces current chief executive Sally Loudon, who leaves COSLA in June after seven years in the job.

Ms O'Donnell has been working in Scottish local government for over 25 years, starting her career in Aberdeen City Council before moving to West Lothian Council.

She is currently working with the Scottish Government as the deputy director for Community Empowerment, Reform and Governance.

COSLA president, Cllr Shona Morrison, said: ‘I am absolutely delighted to welcome Jane as the new chief executive of COSLA. These are challenging times for local government, but Jane has shown impressive leadership qualities, as well as demonstrating a great understanding of both COSLA, Scottish local government and the wider public sector.'

Ms O'Donnell commented: ‘As well as great affection for and loyalty to COSLA and Local Government, I have a firm understanding of the pressures faced by Local Government and together with our elected members, our member councils and staff group I am passionate about delivering positive change for both our sector and our communities.'

HUMAN RESOURCES

Standards shake-up

By EXCLUSIVE by Dan Peters | 16 October 2026

Government privately reaffirms commitment to legislative reforms to standards originally proposed under Starmer regime

HUMAN RESOURCES

Call for long-term EFS plan

By Dan Peters | 15 October 2026

The Government must turn exceptional financial support (EFS) into a ‘managed recovery regime rather than a series of annual decisions’, a public finance chie...

HUMAN RESOURCES

EXCLUSIVE: Labour-led Brent and Barking and Dagenham miss out on first round of London homes cash

By Dan Peters | 15 October 2026

Labour-led Brent and Barking & Dagenham LBCs are understood to have failed to get anything from the first round of Whitehall’s £39bn affordable housing fund.

HUMAN RESOURCES

A chance to rebuild

By Jessica Mullinger | 15 October 2026

Using her own personal experiences, Jessica Mullinger discusses the importance of the Government’s new SEND reforms, why the implementation of them is all im...

Popular articles by William Eichler

-->