Andy (55) lives in Auchinloch with wife Lilian. They have one son, Dominic.

What does your job entail?
I oversee all of the social work and community care services for elderly people, adults with disabilities and adults with learning problems, including homecare services.
I also oversee a whole range of purchased services for East Dunbartonshire Council and am involved in the new Kirkintilloch Integrated Care Centre.

How did you end up in your current job?
I went to school at St Patrick's in Coatbridge, a famous old school, then went to the University of Stirling where I completed a degree in sociology and English. I then did teacher training at Murray House, in Edinburgh, before teaching for six years at St Gregory's in Glasgow.
I became a teacher in a social work context and then moved into social work full time – it was very much a natural progression.
I have done a variety of management jobs within social work over a number of years since then. I worked for Strathclyde Regional Council from 1983, then moved to East Dunbartonshire Council when the councils were reorganised. I've been here ever since.

What attracted you to a career in social work?
I have always been interested in children and young people who don't thrive within a school system. It was this interest that led me to become involved in teaching children who didn't thrive within mainstream education.
I think that there is great satisfaction to be had in being involved in services that help others, particularly people who are disadvantaged.

What do you like most about your job?
No day is ever the same as the previous one as I work on such a wide range of services and projects.
It's also fantastic to work with such a great group of people.

What work have you done on the new Kirkintilloch Integrated Care Centre?
I take the council lead on all of the planning for construction and the integration of the services. I'm really as close to colleagues in the NHS as I am to colleagues in the council. I've been working on the project for the past two years and am pleased to say that it's running to programme.
I am currently working with health staff and council staff to iron out any issues prior to opening. It should be completed by the end of autumn next year and


we are aiming to move in during September or October 2009.
I'd like to emphasise that the KI building is a huge opportunity to strengthen the council's partnership with the NHS, which is a huge passion of mine and something I'm strongly identified with. It will make an enormous difference to how people use services in East Dunbartonshire.

What kind of benefits will the new centre provide?
The people of East Dunbartonshire can expect higher quality, better integrated services. It will mean that there will be a broad range of services under one roof for the first time, which will lead to faster, better joined up, service.

What career ambitions do you have?
I'm happy to continue what I'm doing at the moment and have no real ambition to move on anywhere else. I've worked here for a long time and feel a real connection with the community and the area.
I'm from Coatbridge originally and have spent time living in Glasgow, but I've lived here for most of my life. I love living here and am very lucky that I only work two miles from where I live so I don't have to worry about commuting like many people.

What do you enjoy doing outside work?
I'm interested in the visual arts and like music as well. I mainly listen to classical music, but like all types of music including blues and pop.

Getting to know you
First record: I Feel Fine by The Beatles
First car: An Austin A40 which was a former butcher's van
Book currently reading: The Secret Scripture by Sebastian Barry
TV programme: Match of the Day
Favourite holiday destination: Pembrokeshire in Wales
Famous person most like to meet: The Dalai Lama