Ms Beattie has been in an interim capacity since January this year, and was successful in getting the position on a permanent basis following an extensive external recruitment process.

Originally from Linlithgow, she started her professional career working in a bank. She has worked in health boards, local government, and oil and gas, before settling back in the public sector.

Ms Beattie joined Aberdeenshire Council as an accountant back in 2008, and has worked in both audit and finance roles across the country over the years. She has been an Aberdeenshire resident since 1994.

Council leader Andy Kille was also chair of the recruitment panel. He said: “Mary has been expertly steering the council through recent financial challenges, which have affected every part of the public sector. It is her forward-thinking approach which will benefit the wider organisation.

“Roles such as this are instrumental in the successful delivery of every single council service and it is essential we have someone in this post who can help us move the whole council forward.”