Beveridge tipped to return as SE chair

Published on Saturday 22 November 2008 13:16

CRAWFORD Beveridge, a vice-president of computer networks company Sun Microsystems, and a former chief executive of Scottish Enterprise, is tipped to return home to become the agency's next chairman.

It is understood that seven candidates have been interviewed for the post, and Beveridge, who has been linked with the 40,000-a-year part-time job for several months, is thought to be the Government's preferred choice. A decision on who will replace Sir John Ward is expected in February, though it could be announced before Christmas.

Beveridge, a known nationalist, had a relatively successful spell as chief executive when inward investment projects helped reposition Scotland in the tech sector. However, some of his flagship policies failed in their objectives, notably the business birthrate strategy.

He recently acquired a home in Scotland but there was speculation last week that he may want to retain his main base in California and that this is a sticking point in offering him the post. One further unknown factor is whether he will be among those leaving Sun after the company announced 6,000 job losses. The company is subject to rumours of meltdown or takeover.

Others believed to have been interviewed include SE board member Fred Hallsworth, former head of the defunct accountancy firm Arthur Andersen in Scotland and latterly a senior figure at Deloitte, who sits on the boards of several small growth companies. Fellow board member Ray Perman, a former journalist who was chief executive of Scottish Financial Enterprise, is thought to have been seen. Shonaig Macpherson, chairman of ITI Scotland, was linked to the job but said she was not a candidate.

ITIs, the SE-backed research institutes, are expected to face a further review under the new regime.

The interview panel included Lord Smith of Kelvin, chairman of Weir and Scottish & Southern Energy; Andrew Goudie, the Scottish Government's chief economic adviser, and David Wilson, a senior civil servant in the enterprise department.