Amanda Templeman (pictured above) has been appointed Falkirk Council's Chief Finance Officer (CFO).
After training at Audit Scotland and KPMG, the 47-year-old joined the Council in 2004 and has held various roles in the Finance Team, including Acting Depute CFO for three years.
In 2017, she joined Falkirk Health & Social Care Partnership as CFO before returning to the Council as Capital & Treasury Manager two years ago.
On several occasions, Amanda, who stays in Torrance, has been invited to lecture in Accountancy at Glasgow Caledonian University.
Talking about her new role, Amanda said: "Having worked for the Council for nearly 20 years, I understand its complexities and challenges as well as the opportunities for change. I am excited to be part of a Leadership Team that is committed to working collaboratively to deliver improvements and tackle the Council’s financial challenges."
Karen Algie, Acting Director of Transformation, Communities and Corporate Services, added: “Amanda is a very welcome addition to the Council’s senior leadership team. As CFO, she will play a critical role in our transformation and be pivotal in helping us address the financial difficulties we face.”
Initial focus
After finalising the Council’s annual accounts, Amanda aims to review existing processes and procedures and create a plan that puts Finance “at the heart of the Council’s transformation journey”.
She said: “The Council needs to be smaller, flexible, and more responsive; and must ensure its scarce resources are targeted to priorities, as much as possible. To do that, we need to understand and scrutinise what we do as well as the impact any investment has.
"We also need to work with employees, partners and communities to consider new and innovative approaches because we cannot afford to keep doing what we are doing.”
New blood
Since January this year, the Council’s senior leadership team has undergone significant changes.
Three officers have retired, Malcolm Bennie has joined as Director of Place Services, and the new Director of Transformation, Communities and Corporate Services will be officially announced in the coming weeks.
As it currently stands, and following Amanda’s appointment as CFO, the team now has a 50/50 gender split.
Amanda said: “It’s important to have a mix of people with different life experiences, strengths and approaches around the table to ensures multiple views can be considered in a constructive yet challenging environment.
"The women that already sit on the senior leadership team – and the female leaders before them – have shown how effective strong female leadership can be. I’ve always felt supported and nurtured at Falkirk Council and have never felt my gender was a barrier. That, in large part, is why I have chosen to build my career here.”
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