Dr Grace Vickers, Chief Executive at Midlothian Council, is a dynamic leader in local government. She has improved school performance and played key roles in addressing pandemic-related schooling issues as co-chair of the Scottish Government's National Children and Families Collective Leadership Group. In 2023, she chaired Solace Scotland, highlighting her extensive leadership experience. 


Grace's leadership journey from Head Teacher to Chief Executive at Midlothian Council is rooted in her strong academic foundation, including a postgraduate certificate in secondary education, a PhD from the University of Edinburgh Business School, SQH, and a B.Mus (Hons). 


Dr Vickers gained invaluable insights into impactful policy decisions during her time as a secondary Head Teacher at a diverse Catholic school, where she witnessed firsthand the difference such decisions can make on the ground. This experience propelled her into the role of Quality Improvement Manager at the City of Edinburgh Council, marking the beginning of her distinguished career in local government. 


Grace's leadership roles at Midlothian Council, a rapidly growing local authority specializing in life sciences, have been pivotal. She served as Education and Chief Education Officer, overseeing significant initiatives that drove positive change in education across the region. Her subsequent role as Head of Education at Midlothian Council allowed her to spearhead the implementation of a new curriculum across Edinburgh, further cementing her impact on educational development. 


Throughout her career, from pioneering educational initiatives to her current position as Chief Executive, Grace remains dedicated to delivering improved outcomes for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds within her community. 


Tune in to Episode 7 as we explore Grace Vickers' transformative journey and her unwavering commitment to educational excellence. 

Solace website solace.org.uk

Dedicated podcast site:
⁠⁠⁠https://solace.org.uk/blog/local-government-stories-podcast/⁠⁠⁠

Socials: @Solace_UK #LocalGovernmentStories

Dr Grace Vickers & Nazeya Hussain - Local Government Stories Podcast

Field recording of the dawn chorus in a forest in Midlothian, Scotland

19 May 2024, begining at 03:58 in the morning, and lasting for around 2 hours

Processing applied: highpass filter (120Hz), very light denoising, extremely light compression, normalisation

Notes: This 2 hour recording, taken on a Sunday morning, is essentially devoid of any human-derived sounds. Only the sounds of the dawn chorus are present, along with an occasional creak of a tree, or snap of a twig. The dynamic range is rather large, at least 30dB, so the earlier parts are much quieter than the middle section - i.e., just as one would expect from a dynamic event such as the dawn chorus.

19 May 2024: Dawn chorus in a forest in Midlothian, Scotland (2 hours long)

Join Nazeya Hussain, Solace Board member and EDI lead, as she uncovers the stories, drive, and passion that have shaped some of the most esteemed Chief Executives in Local Government. Delve into in-depth interviews that explore their experiences, best practices, and inspirational tales, perfect for those intrigued by the challenges of the CEO role and the profound impact of councils on communities. With Nazeya's two decades of experience across all tiers of local government and her unwavering passion for making a difference, tune in for firsthand perspectives on local governance's challenges and triumphs. Proudly presented by Solace.

Enjoy listening!

I like to record sounds
https://selfnoise.co.uk

New tracks tagged #midlothian