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Chair appointed to help deliver 2014 Games
07/02/2008
One of Scotland's leading business figures has been appointed to a key role in delivering the "best ever Commonwealth Games" in Glasgow in 2014.
Sir Robert Smith, Chairman for The Weir Group plc, former CEO of Morgan Grenfell Private Equity and BBC Governor and Chairman for the Broadcasting Council for Scotland has been appointed as Chair of the body tasked with delivering the largest multi-sport event ever to be held in Scotland.
First Minister Alex Salmond was speaking at a news conference at Hampden Park earlier today before visiting the construction site of the Toryglen Indoor Training Facility which will be used during the Games.
The First Minister, who chairs the Glasgow 2014 Strategic Group which brings together the lead partners of the Scottish Government, Glasgow City Council and Commonwealth Games Council for Scotland, said this appointment was a major milestone in the Games delivery process.
Mr Salmond said: "I'm delighted to announce the appointment of Sir Robert Smith as the Chair of the Organising Committee of the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
"Sir Robert will bring a tremendous amount of experience and expertise to this hugely important role, as the leading individual responsible for turning Scotland's Commonwealth Games dream into reality.
"He has a proven track record which I know will be essential for delivering an event which promises to be not only the best ever Commonwealth Games but the greatest sporting showcase our country has ever seen.
"I've been massively impressed by the enthusiasm shown across the length and breadth of Scotland for the Games so far and I'm sure people across the country will join me in wishing Sir Robert the very best of success for the crucial six years ahead."
Sir Robert Smith said:
"It is a great honour to be appointed as Chairman of Glasgow 2014 Ltd - the Organising Committee for the Commonwealth Games. Staging the Games in 2014 provides a unique opportunity to stage a major international sports event and to leave a lasting legacy in so many areas of social and economic development in Glasgow and throughout Scotland.
"My job is to ensure that the Games in 2014 are brought in on time and on budget - that is absolutely the first priority. I am looking forward to building a team on the Organising Committee which will have the same focus and commitment to make these a great Games. I am also determined to maintain the strong partnership approach which so typified the work carried out over the last two years.
"We inherit a very strong foundation from all the hard work carried out in the successful bid phase. We now enter a second phase in which we will continue to refine our planning and turn our attention to the ultimate delivery of a Games in July 2014 for all the athletes who will join us from throughout the world. I hope that my experience around the world in a wide range of areas relevant to the Games from construction, broadcasting, sponsorship, fund-raising, finance, management corporate governance through to education and training will be of value over the next seven years."
"I'm very much looking forward to the challenges and excitement of the years to come. This is an extraordinary opportunity to demonstrate to the world our ability in Glasgow and Scotland to delivery an outstanding event."
Steven Purcell, the Leader of Glasgow City Council, said: "Robert is a dynamic business leader and a great asset for the team which will deliver the Commonwealth Games in 2014.
"A great Glaswegian, he helped to raise millions for Kelvingrove and our new Riverside Museum on the banks of the Clyde. Robert has undoubtedly made his mark on the national and international business stage and has enjoyed an unrivalled track record of success."
Michael Cavanagh, Chair of the Commonwealth Games Council for Scotland said:
"The Games Council welcomes the appointment of Sir Robert Smith to the Organising Company for the Games. With his long standing experience of business and commerce, this is a very valuable appointment to help us move into the next phase of work for 2014 and will complete the skills and experience of the other Games partners. We look forward to working closely with Robert over the next six years to deliver a fantastic Games."
The Organising Company is a company limited by guarantee, under the joint ownership of Scottish Ministers, Glasgow City Council and the Commonwealth Games Council for Scotland (CGCS). The appointment of the Chair has been made jointly by the three Games partners.
The Organising Company will be responsible for delivery of the Games, and for spending the necessary £373m budget (net £298m). The Glasgow 2014 Strategic Group, chaired by the First Minister, will monitor the OC's annual business plans.
The Organising Company will be staffed-up over the coming months. The recruitment process started last month for a Chief Executive and other senior appointments will then follow. Derek Casey is currently acting as Interim CEO. For its first four years of operation, the Organising Company is expected to have a staff of around 30, rising significantly as the Games approach.
Robert Haldane Smith, Chartered Accountant, Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Bankers in Scotland.
Chairman, The Weir Group plc (2002 - )
Chairman, Scottish & Southern Energy plc (2005 - )
Non executive Director, Aegon UK plc (2002 - )
Non executive Director, Standard Bank Group Ltd (2003 - )
Non executive Director, 3i Group plc (2004 - )
Chancellor, University of The West of Scotland (2003 - )
Vice Chairman, China Britain Business Council (2003 - ) Chairman, The Smith Group, advising the Scottish Executive on Education principally regarding young people not in education, employment or training(2005 - ) Member, Council of Economic Advisors to First Minister of Scotland (2007 - )
Articled to Robb Ferguson & Co CA Glasgow 1963-68 (qualified Chartered Accountant 1968).
Honorary degrees from Universities of Edinburgh (1999), Glasgow (2001) and Paisley (2003). Knighted 1999 for Services to National Museums of Scotland
Chairman, The Weir Group plc (2002 - )
Chairman, Scottish & Southern Energy plc (2005 - )
Non executive Director, Aegon UK plc (2002 - )
Non executive Director, Standard Bank Group Ltd (2003 - )
Non executive Director, 3i Group plc(2004 - )
Chancellor, University of The West of Scotland (2003 - )
Vice Chairman, China Britain Business Council (2003 - ) Chairman, The Smith Group, advising the Scottish Executive on Education principally regarding young people not in education, employment or training (2005 - ) Member, Council of Economic Advisors to First Minister of Scotland (2007 - )
Executive Posts
Vice Chairman, Deutsche Asset Management; Deutsche Bank AG (2000 - 2002) Chief Executive, Morgan Grenfell Asset Management (1996 - 2000)
Chairman (1989 - 2001) and CEO (1989 - 1996), Morgan Grenfell Private Equity Managing Director, Charterhouse Development Capital Limited (1985-1989)
General Manager, Corporate Finance Division of The Royal Bank of Scotland plc;
Managing Director, National Commercial & Glyns Limited (1983-85) ICFC (now 3i) (1968-82).
Non executive Directorships
MFI Furniture Group plc (1987 - 2000)
Bank of Scotland plc (1998 - 2000)
Stakis plc (1997 - 1999), Chairman (1998 - 1999)
Tip Europe plc (1987 - 1989)
Network Rail (2002-2003)
BBC Governor and Chairman, Broadcasting Council for Scotland (1999 - 2004)
Chairman, BBC Children in Need (2003 - 2004)