City chiefs to pass 'urgent' measures to fill tram jobs

CITY councillors are set to approve "urgent" measures to keep Edinburgh's tram project on the rails.

Senior roles within tram firm TIE are currently unfilled following last week's resignation of Willie Gallagher, who was both chief executive and chairman.

The current chairman of Transport Edinburgh Limited, David Mackay, is set to take over as the firm's new interim chairman.

Council chiefs are also now looking to appoint a chief executive and further "senior professional roles" as the £512m project reaches a crucial stage.

The appointment of Mr Mackay, who is also an executive director of Lothian Buses, is set to be approved by councillors at a full council meeting tomorrow.

He paid tribute to Mr Gallagher, and said: "We are very fortunate that Willie has established a high calibre team who work to stringent standards and many of whom have been engaged on other tram schemes and major construction projects. I am very much looking forward to working more closely with this first-class team to ensure that we deliver, for the Capital, a state-of-the-art tram system which will be the envy of other leading cities."

In a report prepared for councillors, the council's chief executive, Tom Aitchison, said: "Mr Gallagher has advised me that his resignation is attributed to personal, family reasons.

"With regret, and given his personal circumstances, I have accepted his resignation.

"Members of the council are aware that the Edinburgh Tram Project is at a critical stage in the construction process.

"It is, therefore, essential that governance and management arrangements are put in place immediately to ensure the minimum possible disruption to TIE's capacity following Willie Gallagher's resignation."

He adds that "urgent consideration" needed to be given to managerial leadership and senior professional roles within TIE, including the appointment of a new chief executive.

Gordon Burgess, chairman of the Leith Walk Traders' Association, said: "I think (Mr Mackay] has got a big job on his hands because this project continues to spiral out of control."

Council leader Jenny Dawe believes Mr Mackay will ensure there is minimum disruption in the management of TIE.

She added: "Under his stewardship I am sure we will continue as planned towards our goal of a world-class public transport system for Edinburgh."

Councillor Ian Perry, the city's Labour transport spokesman, described Mr Mackay as "a safe pair of hands".

Experienced leader is the new man in charge
DAVID MACKAY was born the son of a policeman in St Andrews on May 20, 1943.

• He originally chose banking as a career, but then entered the transport field and achieved the Royal Society of Arts Diploma in transport.

• Joined John Menzies in Edinburgh in 1964, where he was subsequently appointed group chief executive in 1997.

• Appointed chairman of the Scottish Rugby Executive Board in 2003.

• Appointed Honorary Colonel of the Scottish Transport Regiment in 2004.

• Appointed chair of Transport Edinburgh Limited in 2006.

• Became the non-executive director of Express Newspapers in Scotland in January 2008 on a six-month assignment.

• Appointed an executive director of Lothian Buses in June 2008.

• Married to Jane, with two children – Katie, 25, and Euan, 24.