Council Agrees Interim Chief Executive Arrangements

At a meeting of South Ayrshire Council today, councillors approved interim chief executive arrangements, following the resignation of former Chief Executive, Mike Newall.

Lyndsay McRoberts, who has been performing the role of acting chief executive since 9 June, will continue in the position until she leaves the council in August to take up a senior post in another authority.

Thereafter, Cleland Sneddon will take on the role of interim chief executive. This will allow time for a robust recruitment and selection process to take place to appoint a new, permanent chief executive.

Cleland has over 30 years' local government experience, including as chief executive of both Argyll and Bute and South Lanarkshire Councils. Prior to performing these roles, Cleland was Executive Director of Community Services at Argyll and Bute Council.  He has also held numerous management posts across a range of service areas including education; social work; housing; leisure; communities and HR.  Cleland was Chair of  SOLACE ( the Society of Local Authority Chief Executives and Senior Managers ) Scotland Branch in 2022/23 and Chair of ALACE (the Association of Local Authority Chief Executives and Senior Managers) from 2019 to 2024.

Councillor Brian Connolly, Leader of South Ayrshire Council, said: "It has been a challenging period for the Council, and I want to thank Lyndsay McRoberts for her ongoing leadership and support. I'm pleased that Cleland has agreed to take on the chief executive role on an interim basis when Lyndsay leaves. Cleland brings a strong background in local government leadership and I'm sure he'll provide robust strategic management during his time with us at South Ayrshire. I very much look forward to working with him."

South Ayrshire Council's Interim Chief Executive, Cleland Sneddon, said: "I am very much looking forward to forming strong working relationships with elected members and new colleagues in South Ayrshire. The council has enormous potential and I am glad I have been asked to contribute, pending the appointment of a permanent successor."

Published 26 June 2025