OIC appoint new head of service

Orkney Islands Council has appointed a head of roads and environmental services to its development and infrastructure service.

Darren Richardson will join the OIC from City of York Council where he is currently director of city and environmental services, with a wide portfolio including highways, transportation, waste management, planning, regeneration and conservation.

In York he has overseen significant change in all these services and delivered major highways and transport schemes, and focused on the key city objective of jobs and growth by seeing major strategic development sites proceed, in particular “York Central” – the largest rail associated site in Europe.

Previously he was at Barnsley Metropolitan Council as assistant director of environmental services focusing on highways, waste management and neighbourhood services.

Mr Richardson is a qualified chartered highways and transportation engineer and chartered builder.

Gavin Barr, Orkney Islands Council’s executive director of development and infrastructure, said: “We are delighted to be welcoming Darren to our team in Orkney. He is an appointment of extremely high-calibre and brings with him a wealth of experience in his field. He will be responsible for leading some of the council’s most visible and vital services and is more than capable of taking on the challenges that Orkney presents.”

Mr Richardson will take up his position in late Spring.