A former council boss has been recognised by Edinburgh Napier University for a packed career of public service in West Lothian spanning six decades.
Alex Linkston was awarded an honorary doctorate during a graduation ceremony for students from ENU’s Business School at Edinburgh’s Usher Hall.
He spent his entire career with West Lothian Council, becoming its chief executive in 1990. At that time, he was the youngest appointee to such a role with a Scottish local authority – and was Scotland’s longest-serving council chief exec by the time he retired in 2010.
During his time with the council, he became known as a leader in public sector reform, and was involved in the opening of the West Lothian Civic Centre in 2009, the largest public sector partnership of its kind in the UK at the time.
Under his leadership, West Lothian Council was named UK Council of the Year in 2006 and became the first UK unitary authority to be awarded a Charter Mark for the entire organisation in 2007.
Among Alex’s other roles was a spell as chair of the Forth Valley Health Board between 2012 and 2020.
He also joined the board of West Lothian College in 2005, serving as both member and chair until June of this year. It has strong links with Edinburgh Napier, and more than 600 students have progressed from the college to Edinburgh Napier in the last decade.
Alex’s achievements have been recognised with several honours, 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.
Responding to the award of his honorary doctorate, Alex said: “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 its 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.”
Presenting the degree during the graduation ceremony, Michael Greenhalgh, director of planning and strategy at Edinburgh Napier University, said: “At Edinburgh Napier, we celebrate difference makers. While not all of us can change the world, we can all make a difference.
“I am sure that you would all agree that Alex is a difference maker.”
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