The SNP have confirmed the appointment of Carol Beattie as the party’s new interim chief executive following the resignation of Murray Foote.
The former newspaper editor announced his decision to step down on Friday after just over a year in the job, saying he would not be able to ‘make the necessary personal commitment’ to the role ahead of the Scottish Parliament elections in 2026.
He had previously served as the party’s head of communications before resigning in a row over membership figures, and is expected to continue working with the SNP to help the transition.
But Ms Beattie, who is the former chief executive of Stirling Council, has been appointed on an interim basis by the national executive committee on Saturday.
Ms Beattie, who described her appointment as a “huge honour”, was Stirling Council chief executive from 2019 until her resignation in May this year and she also stood in the Falkirk council by-election on Thursday, but lost out to Labour's Claire Aitken.
She said: “I look forward to meeting the team at the earliest opportunity and working with colleagues whose efforts have delivered the success of the SNP to date.
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“I intend to waste no time in getting on with the important job of strengthening the party’s headquarters functions and supporting the party as a formidable national organisation.”
SNP depute leader Keith Brown welcomed Ms Beattie, saying: “She brings considerable experience to the role and her appointment will continue the work, under John Swinney’s leadership, to ensure a professional, modern, dynamic election-winning organisation.
“The SNP remains the dominant political force in Scotland – and Carol Beattie’s appointment will ensure we remain equipped for the tasks ahead.”
Ms Beattie will be tasked with stewarding a party which faced a crippling defeat in July’s general election, going from 48 seats won in 2019 to just nine MPs.
In his speech to the annual party conference – the first since becoming First Minister earlier this year – Mr Swinney told delegates he would seek to turn the SNP into “the most professional, modern, dynamic election-winning organisation”.
Party sources at the time claimed this included a revamp of internal processes, such as canvassing software.
After her loss on Thursday, one unhappy SNP insider was surprised at the appointment and believes it is disrespectful that she's got the position.
The insider said: "I've never seen someone with no track record or commitment to the SNP fast-tracked so suddenly and find themselves acting CEO.
"She refused to stand on the podium during the declaration of results after losing the by-election in Falkirk South on Thursday- disrespectful to say the least. If that’s how she treats activists that’s not a great start.”
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