Councillor Jenny Laing is the Leader of Aberdeen City Council.
Jenny was appointed an elected member in Aberdeen in 2007, becoming Council Leader in
2014, Co-Leader in 2017 and Council Leader in 2021. Jenny holds senior positions in the ruling
administration including that of Chair of Net Zero Vision – City Leadership Board, Chair of
Aberdeen Community Planning Board, Vice Convener of the City Growth & Resources
Committee and previously Convener of Strategic Commissioning and Convener of Education
Culture and Sport.
Jenny also alternates as the Chair/Vice-Chair of the Aberdeen City Region Deal Joint
Committee which, along with private and local authority partners, supports the economic
investment of the region encompassing various projects such as the transformation of the Oil
and Gas sector to renewable energy, the expansion of the new Aberdeen Harbour, a new Biotherapeutic Hub and a new Agri-Food and Nutrition Hub.
Jenny, along with her Administration colleagues, sets the strategic and economic direction for
the city and this has included the development of a Climate Change Action Plan and
accompanying Energy Transition Strategic Infrastructure Plan. Aberdeen is leading the way in
the development of hydrogen and offshore wind and has already secured government
investment in its Hydrogen Hub and Energy Transition Zone; Jenny is committed to Aberdeen
becoming a climate positive city by 2045.
Jenny was named Scottish Local Politician of the Year in 2017 and Council Leader of the Year in
2020. Aberdeen City Council was named as the UK Local Authority of the Year in the MJ
Achievements Awards 2020.
Jenny was born in Aberdeen, is married and has a grown-up son. She graduated from Aberdeen
University with an honour’s degree in Economic History.