Former council boss recognised for packed career of public service in West Lothian

Former Council Chief Honoured for Lifetime of Public Service in West Lothian

A former council executive has been celebrated by Edinburgh Napier University for a distinguished career of serving the public in West Lothian over six decades. Alex Linkston was presented with an honorary doctorate during a graduation event for students from ENU’s Business School at Edinburgh’s Usher Hall. Linkston dedicated his entire professional life to West Lothian Council, eventually rising to the position of chief executive in 1990. At the time of his appointment, he was the youngest person to hold such a role within a Scottish local authority. By the time of his retirement in 2010, he had become the longest-serving council chief executive in Scotland.

Throughout his tenure with the council, Linkston was a trailblazer in public sector reform and played a crucial role in the establishment of the West Lothian Civic Centre in 2009, at that time the largest public sector partnership in the UK. An additional testament to his leadership was the recognition of West Lothian Council as the UK Council of the Year in 2006, and being the first UK unitary authority to receive a Charter Mark for the entire organization in 2007. Linkston also undertook pivotal roles such as chairing the Forth Valley Health Board from 2012 to 2020 and serving on the board of West Lothian College from 2005 until June of the current year. The college has strong ties with Edinburgh Napier University, with over 600 students transitioning from the college to ENU in the past decade.

Linkston’s contributions have garnered him several accolades, including the Quality Scotland Leadership Award in 2007, a CBE in 2008, and the Prince’s Trust Scotland Volunteer of the Year award in 2009. Upon receiving his honorary doctorate, Linkston expressed his gratitude, stating, “It’s a great honour to receive this award from Edinburgh Napier University. All my senior career I have sought to improve the life chances of West Lothian residents, particularly young people, through education, and it’s now very humbling to receive this prestigious award. Over my 60-year career, I have won many awards, but none so precious to me as this one.”

During the graduation ceremony, Michael Greenhalgh, director of planning and strategy at Edinburgh Napier University, presented Linkston with the degree, commending him as a “difference maker” and acknowledging his significant impact on the community.

In conclusion, Alex Linkston’s remarkable dedication to public service in West Lothian has left a lasting impact on the region and serves as an inspiration for future generations of leaders committed to serving their communities selflessly. His recognition by Edinburgh Napier University is a fitting tribute to a lifetime of service and dedication to the betterment of society.