Scottish Enterprise’s long search for a chairman has ended after the appointment of retiring Principal and Vice-Chancellor or Strathclyde University, Professor Sir Jim McDonald.
Sir Jim will take up the three-year role from 1 January, two and a half years after Lord Smith’s tenure ended. He will receive £50,225 per annum for 91 days per year.
He will replace Willie Mackie who has stood in as interim for almost as long as the permanent role requires. He received £541 per day for a commitment of 30 days per year.
Previous chairs have included senior Scottish business leaders such as Crawford Gillies and Sir Ian Wood. The job was re-advertised in October last year with an expectation of an announcement on 1 April this year, but that had to be extended when no suitable candidates emerged.
Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes said: “Professor McDonald is an internationally recognised figure with a track record of driving innovation and change.
“His experience and expertise will no doubt be an asset to Scottish Enterprise, which attracts investment and backs ambitious companies and projects throughout Scotland.
“I look forward to working with Sir Jim to grow Scotland’s economy, secure the economic benefits of the transition to net zero and support new businesses that capitalise on the research and ingenuity of our universities.”
Sir Jim, who has worked closely with business and industry and will retire from his university role next summer, will be re-united with SE chief executive Adrian Gillespie who also came from Strathclyde University.
Sir Jim said: “Scotland is rich in talent, innovation, and opportunity, and I am committed to working with the organisation and its partners to drive economic growth, create opportunities, and champion sustainable development in achieving a net zero economy.
“With emerging technologies and a changing global economy, there has never been a more important time to support Scottish businesses and attract inward investment.
“Having been involved with Scottish Enterprise previously as a board member, I understand the vital role it plays in supporting Scotland’s economy. Collaboration has been a cornerstone of my career, and I look forward to bringing that same ethos to this new role.”
Sir Jim co-chairs, with the First Minister, the Scottish Energy Advisory Board and led the recent publication of two national reports on Scotland’s Innovation Strategy and opportunities for Floating Offshore Wind in Scotland.
He has been involved in several University entrepreneurial start-up and spin-out tech companies and has significant corporate non-exec director experience, including with FTSE-100 and NASDAQ listed companies.
In the Queen’s Jubilee Birthday Honours List 2012, he was awarded a Knighthood for Services to Education, Engineering and the Economy and in the King’s New Year’s Honours List 2024, he was given the rare honour of being awarded the Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire (GBE) for Services to Engineering, Education and Energy.
