Cordia boss to retire from his £130,000 post

The boss of the largest arm’s-length company created by Glasgow City Council is to quit his £130,000 post.

Fergus Chambers, managing director of Cordia – the firm set up by the council to run all services from social care to catering – is to take early retirement.

Scores of managers across the council and its arm’s-length organisations (Aleos) – including head of roads and parks Robert Booth and chief solicitor Ian Drummond – have opted to take advantage of enhanced redundancy packages for staff over 50 years old by going for early retirement.

At Cordia’s latest board meeting, Mr Chambers agreed a departure date of this October.

Mr Chambers, 55, has headed up services in Glasgow for the last 23 years, joining Strathclyde Regional Council from the private sector in 1988 before moving to GCC in 1995.

He led the creation of Cordia in April 2009, the new company by some way being the largest of the council’s Aleos, with almost 9000 staff.

He has also been involved in several high-profile disputes with workers and trade union representatives in the past year.

Cordia chairman, councillor Jim Mackechnie, said: “Fergus has been a hands-on leader to his large staff, and he will be greatly missed. The task of finding his successor in this vital position starts immediately.”

Mr Chambers said: “My role in Cordia was always intended to be one of establishing the new organisation. I am satisfied I am leaving it in a strong position.

“I have one or two projects in mind and will continue my work in hospitality-related charities.”