Chief Officers Group
The purpose of the Chief Officers Group (COG) is to oversee the progress of the Deal, and to make recommendations that enable the Joint Committee to make decisions that deliver on the investment programme. The group also acts to ensure that each of the partners are working effectively towards the strategic outcomes of the Deal.
The representatives on the group are:
Carol Beattie
Stirling Council Chief Executive
Carol was appointed to the post of Chief Executive for Stirling Council on 7 March 2019
Carol joined Stirling Council in 2014 as a Senior Manager for Economic Development, and was appointed Director of Children, Communities and Enterprise in May 2017, before stepping up to the role of Interim Chief Executive in August 2018 following a four month term as Depute Chief Executive.
In her role as Senior Manager for Economic Development and Regeneration, Carol had responsibility for expanding Stirling’s economy to secure its place as a strong contender for global investment. She focused on creating new employment and regeneration opportunities through place development, business sector growth and inward investment.
Carol has played a key role in many aspiring initiatives for Stirling including the City Region Deal, the creation of a digital agenda in partnership with Codebase, a growing social housing build programme and new active travel routes around the city.
Within Stirling Council Carol has led a programme of investment in digital technologies and transformation of internal practices to help the organisation continue to deliver vital local services in the face of many external pressures.
Prior to joining Stirling Council, Carol worked in an international context in both the private and public sector for 20 years, equipping her with specialist knowledge in developing international trade and foreign direct investment. She has a particular interest in growing trade skills development and the global reach Scottish businesses, which was acknowledged when she became an Honorary Fellow of the Institute of Export.
Carol has overseen a number of ambitious new projects and initiatives that include delivering best in class visitor experiences in heritage and urban tourism and working with technology businesses to support investment in innovation.
Nikki Bridle
Chief Executive of Clackmannanshire Council
Nikki Bridle was appointed as Chief Executive of Clackmannanshire Council in 2018 and provides results driven leadership, strategic direction, and effective management of the Council. Nikki is a highly committed Chief Executive with over 30 years of public sector experience in Scotland and England. Nikki was previously Depute Chief Executive at the Council. She joined in 2010 as Director of Finance and Corporate Services, having previously worked at Audit Scotland and other roles in the public and private sectors for over 20 years.
Nikki is a professionally qualified accountant and experienced auditor and inspector. She has worked for a range of public sector bodies including a County council, two unitary councils, a leading accountancy firm and held senior roles in scrutiny bodies in both Scotland and England. Most of the roles Nikki has held have had a strong focus on driving improvement and whilst working in the public and private sectors, Nikki has delivered significant levels of consultancy/ value added work across a range of public sector clients including councils, the NHS, Higher and Further Education establishments and Police and Fire.When Nikki is not providing leadership for the Council, she enjoys reading an eclectic range of fiction, cooking and baking and being outdoors as well as spending time with her daughter traveling and exploring ancient civilisations.
Eileen Schofield
Chief Operating Officer and University Secretary, University of Stirling.
Eileen Schofield is the Chief Operating Officer and University Secretary at the University of Stirling, an institution with more than 1,700 staff and 17,000 students globally.
She is also the University’s Chief Officer for the Stirling and Clackmannanshire City Region Deal, responsible for providing strategic leadership from the University to the development of the City Region Deal.
As a signatory to the £214 million Stirling and Clackmannanshire City Region Deal, the University is driving productivity and inclusive growth across the Forth Valley, and beyond. Through pioneering collaborative solutions to global challenges, researchers are putting innovation, skills, and partnership at the heart of a sustainable economic recovery.
Eileen has held the position of Chief Operating Officer and University Secretary since 2014, having originally joined the University in 2009 as Deputy Secretary and Director of Student, Academic and Corporate Services.
She is a graduate of Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen and holds a BA Business Studies. Following graduation, she qualified as an accountant. Her career in higher education commenced in finance at the University of Aberdeen, including working as the Senior Faculty Accountant for the Faculty of Medicine and Medical Sciences. She subsequently moved into strategic planning, working as Director of Planning and Deputy Director of Policy, Planning and Governance before making the move to Stirling.
