Steve Barron Highland Council's new chief executive
Steve Barron has been appointed Highland Council's new chief executive.
The depute chief executive and director of housing and property will formally take over from Alistair Dodds on 1 September.
Mr Dodds is retiring after 22 years with the local authority, the last six in the top job.
Mr Barron, a former pupil of Lochardil Primary School and Inverness Royal Academy, joined Highland Council in 2008.
He said: "I'm honoured to be appointed to this post and committed to playing my part in ensuring that the Highlands is a great place to live and work.
"Alistair Dodds will be a hard act to follow."