Cleland Sneddon was appointed Chief Executive of South Lanarkshire Council in January 2020 following a successful period as Chief Executive of Argyll and Bute Council. With over 30 years in local government, Cleland brings a wealth of experience to taking forward the Council’s Corporate Plan and South Lanarkshire’s Community Plan.

Cleland is focussed on ensuring his organisation is well connected with communities and industry to encourage new sustainable employment from investors that recognise the unique opportunities in an amazing part of Scotland with outstanding potential. He takes pride in a career spent in public service and is dedicated to the promotion of South Lanarkshire.

In his spare time Cleland likes to write, travel to new and old favourite destinations and fishing.

Education and Background: Cleland holds a Batchelor of Arts (Distinction) in Public Administration from Robert Gordon’s University, a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) from Glasgow University and an MSc in Local Government Management from Strathclyde University.

Career History: Originally from Wishaw in North Lanarkshire, Cleland has spent the majority of his career in Lanarkshire and has worked for a number of local authorities including Motherwell and Clydesdale District Councils, Strathclyde Regional Council, South Lanarkshire Council and Midlothian Council, Argyll and Bute Council before arriving back at South Lanarkshire Council in January 2020.

He has held management posts across a range of service areas including Education, Social Work, Housing, Leisure and Communities as well as HR, corporate policy and operations.