John Angus Mackay is leaving his post as chairman of Western Isles NHS for a new job as chief executive of Bòrd na Gàidhlig .
Mr Mackay takes up the top position at the Gaelic development body in September.
He is in the final months of a four year term as chair of NHS Western Isles and will not be standing for a further term of office.
Mr Mackay will leave the health body at the end of August after its annual review.
The achievements and progress made by the NHS board during his term as chair were today acknowledged by the Board’s Chief Executive Gordon Jamieson and Vice Chair of the Board, Angus McCormack.
Mr McCormack commented: “I congratulate John Angus Mackay on his appointment as Chief Executive of Bòrd na Gàidhlig, and wish him all the best in his future role. He will bring to the post those skills which he has used to such good effect in turning round the fortunes of the Western Isles Health Board.
“From a position of real difficulty only four years ago, John Angus has led the Board to a position where its governance is strong, key post holders are in place, staff relations have improved, significant new initiatives are in operation, year on year financial balance is met and the Board is on course to securing its aspiration to offer the best rural health care in Scotland. This creates a firm foundation for the future, and should encourage a strong field of applicants to come forward to fill the Chair's post when it is advertised.”
Mr Jamieson said: "We set ourselves the goal of being ‘the best at what we do’, and during John Angus MacKay’s term as Chair we have certainly progressed substantially on the journey towards delivering that vision in a number of areas across the organisation. Significant progress has been made under his chairmanship which has resulted in a very positive, confident and different organisation to what NHS Western Isles was only four years ago.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank John Angus, both on behalf of NHS Western Isles and personally, for his leadership, direction and support. It has been a pleasure and a privilege to work with him and I wish him every success in his new role as Chief Executive of Bòrd na Gàidhlig.”
He added: “Discussions are currently in hand with the Scottish Government Health Department to ensure a smooth transition of responsibilities to Mr MacKay's successor, when appointed.”
John Angus MacKay said: "No one person can claim the credit for the progress that NHS Western Isles has made in the past four years. The Board will need to continue to function well, and seek and earn the support, individually and collectively, of a wide range of stakeholders in the years to come, in order to give the people of the Western Isles the best possible health services.
“In my time in this post, I have been lucky to enjoy the support of the Board, staff, partner organisations in the Western Isles, other NHS Boards, the public and the Scottish Government Health Department. In these circumstances it has been a privilege, and very often a pleasure, to tackle the challenges of the post.”
Mr MacKay added: “Working in the Health Service can often be a relay race against time at every level, but I am confident that this Board is now well placed in the field to run with the rest - and the best - and it is a good time to hand over the baton. My successor can look forward to working with a lot of good, committed people, focused on delivering quality services to the people of the Western Isles."