No business like showbusiness for some power brokers

Published on Monday 4 February 2008 21:19

Our countdown continues, with LINDSAY McINTOSH looking at those who have just missed out on a place in the top 20.

WE ARE heading towards the top 20 as the countdown of the most powerful people in Scotland continues, with another wide-ranging collection of influential individuals who have made their mark on contemporary life.

Power, in itself, is easy to define: the ability to get things done, to persuade others to do one's bidding or to come round to one's way of thinking. The problem comes in comparing levels of influence – how can you pit those in different fields against one another and come out with a definitive list of the 50 most powerful Scots?

We have looked at similar investigations that have been carried out in the past – including the Sunday Times Rich List and the Power 100 lists compiled by Scotland on Sunday – and cross-referenced and updated them, and we have also taken soundings from a range of professions to create our long list of Power Scots.

We then distributed this list among experts in areas including the arts, politics, business and the environment, and adjusted the results according to their judgments to come up with our final list of 50.

Ultimately, it is subjective and open to debate, and we welcome your thoughts, as we are well aware everyone would come up with their own top 50 – or order the 50 we have chosen differently.

We have excluded individuals who do not have a physical power base in Scotland, and also those in the news media. As in similar surveys, it is not thought appropriate to include anyone connected to the newspaper compiling the list, and we decided to omit anyone in the news media to avoid suggestions of bias.

We have also looked at where Scotland's most powerful individuals come from – are they coming through the old routes of the independent schools and ancient universities, or are the state schools turning out the power brokers of the 21st century? If this is the case, does it suggest that Scotland is becoming more of a meritocracy?

We began our countdown on Saturday and will continue until Thursday, when a number of experts we have assembled will tell us what they think our list says about the powerful face of Scotland today.

Please let us know what you think – who should be in and who shouldn't – add your comment below.

21 ALISTAIR DARLING

CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER

Now MP for Edinburgh South West (and previously Edinburgh Central), Mr Darling has represented Scotland's capital at Westminster since 1987. If eyebrows are raised at his inclusion, this is the man who still has control over all macro-economic decisions affecting Scotland – including taxation, pensions and benefits, a rather weighty, and some might say troublesome, portfolio.

He is a close confidant of Gordon Brown and was a natural choice to become Chancellor when Mr Brown finally moved to No 10. He has been in the Cabinet since Labour took power in 1997, holding positions including transport secretary, Scottish secretary and secretary for trade and industry.

His great uncle was Sir William Darling, Tory MP for Edinburgh South. He was educated at the private Loretto School, Musselburgh, and went on to study law at Aberdeen University, eventually becoming an advocate in Scotland.

22 JONATHAN MILLS

DIRECTOR, EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL

Jonathan Mills's position is one of the most high-powered in the arts anywhere in the world. He took up the post in 2006 – when he was an academic at Melbourne University – with a 1 million debt on an annual 7.5 million budget. The 2007 event was the first under his stewardship and was generally seen as a success. The Australian was an outside bet for the job – and was really known in Scotland only for his composing and not for any kind of management skills. His predecessor, Sir Brian McMaster, developed a formidable reputation and is still hugely influential on the arts scene across the UK and beyond.

Mr Mills was an experienced festival director in Australia. He was schooled there, except for a brief period in the UK. He graduated in music from the University of Sydney and also holds a masters in architecture, specialising in acoustic design.

23 MARK SELWAY

CHIEF EXECUTIVE, WEIR GROUP

Mark Selway heads up the last remaining giant of Scottish engineering prowess. Weir is a global player that has wielded influence far beyond its base, including the Middle East, and should benefit from a weak pound in a slowing world economy.

Mr Selway has overhauled the Glasgow institution and made some tough decisions to streamline it, such as selling off Weir Pumps – and won praise for his audacious decisions. He came to Scotland from his home in Adelaide, Australia, and was previously director of Britax International and managing director of its automotive components division.

After Schefenacker International bought the division, he became a director of that company and executive director of Schefenacker Vision Systems. At Weir, he implemented a programme of closures, job cuts, sell-offs and transfers – and moved the country's operations into Iraq.

24 SUSAN RICE

CHIEF EXECUTIVE, LLOYDS TSB SCOTLAND

The first woman to lead a UK clearing bank is a powerful figure in the business world and in the arts, where she takes a huge interest in corporate sponsorship. Rice was born and brought up in Rhode Island in the United States and attended Hope High School in Providence. She holds a degree from Wellesley College, Massachusetts, and a masters from Aberdeen University.

The first part of her career was in academia (she was Dean at Yale University), and her husband, C Duncan Rice, is the principal of Aberdeen University. She became chief executive of Lloyds TSB Scotland in August 2000. She chairs the board of the Edinburgh International Book Festival, holds many other committee posts and is a frequent speaker on financial exclusion, corporate responsibility, the future of financial services and the Scottish economy.

25 MARTIN GILBERT

CHIEF EXECUTIVE, ABERDEEN ASSET MANAGEMENT

Martin Gilbert has staged an astonishing comeback after a high-profile battering of Aberdeen Asset Management in the split-cap crisis of 2001-3. He has rebuilt the company through shrewd acquisition and expansion and recently unveiled funds under management at a record 100 billion.

Known as an aggressive dealmaker, Mr Gilbert is in a position to go bargain-hunting as property companies and financial sector rivals suffer in the global credit crisis. He is a great opportunist and prospects for expansion over the next 18 months are good. A man to watch as others flounder.

He was educated at the independent school, Robert Gordon College in Aberdeen. He graduated from Aberdeen University with an MA in accountancy and LLB in law.

After qualifying as a chartered accountant in 1982, Mr Gilbert pursued a career in investment management. He was one of the founding directors of AAM, established in 1983 and now the largest independent asset management group in Scotland with more than 1,000 employees in 26 offices across the world.

26 PETE IRVINE

AUTHOR/EVENT ORGANISER

Mr Irvine's passion for Scotland makes him a powerful ambassador for the country – through his popular tourism guide Scotland The Best and the many high-profile shindigs he organises through his Unique Events company.

Born in the Borders, Mr Irvine went to state school at Hawick High and studied geography at Edinburgh University. He travelled widely, then returned to Edinburgh as a music promoter. However, his love of Scotland led him to pursue a second career as an author.

Irvine's Unique Events firm is behind the likes of Edinburgh's Hogmanay and Ayr's Burns and A' That. He is credited with transforming Edinburgh's Hogmanay celebrations beyond recognition since he started organising them in 1993 and was also chosen to sort out the official opening of the Scottish Parliament. His latest venture is Scotland's newest music festival, the Outsider, which combines outdoor adventure sports with quality music.

He is also behind the Glasgow Art Fair and was heavily involved in the Highland Year of Culture 2007. Mr Irvine is powerful because he is a great fixer who can make things happen – it's a shame he can't control the weather… yet.

27 LORD HAMILTON

THE LORD PRESIDENT

Lord Hamilton is Scotland's most senior judge – and as such, the head of the Scottish justiciary. He took up the position in December 2005. The powers of the Lord President could be extended under a new bill, unveiled only last week, which would give him more responsibility for running the courts in a move to enhance the independence of the judiciary and protect it from political influence.

Born in Glasgow, Arthur Hamilton attended the independent High School of Glasgow, then Worcester College, Oxford University and Edinburgh University, where he gained a law degree in 1967. He was admitted to the Faculty of Advocates in 1968 and became a QC in 1982. He was an advocate depute, chairman of the Medical Appeals Tribunals and president of the Pensions Appeal Tribunal (Scotland) and a judge of the Inner House of the Court of Session.

When he was appointed Lord President on a salary just short of 200,000, Jack McConnell, the then First Minister, said Lord Hamilton would lead the judiciary through a time of change and reform.

Early in his tenure, he took an extended period of sick leave – said to be related to stress and exhaustion – but is now firmly back at the helm.

28 KEVIN DUNION

SCOTTISH INFORMATION COMMISSIONER

The first Scottish information commissioner's contract has just been renewed for another four years, following a reappointment committee hearing that he "never shied away from difficult decisions". Mr Dunion is responsible for the application of the Freedom of Information Act and has ordered a number of public bodies – notably some police forces – to release information they had previously refused to. He has ensured more information is now on public record than ever, although some feel there is still a way to go in getting the "forces of darkness" to open up to full scrutiny.

Mr Dunion was born in Bridge of Allan, and brought up in Alloa and Glenrothes. He was educated at the state St Andrews School, Kirkcaldy, and Edinburgh University. From 1996 to 2000, he also served as chairman of Friends of the Earth International, heading delegations to the United Nations and European Commission. It was for this role that he was made an OBE in 2000.

29 JIM McCOLL

CHAIRMAN/CHIEF EXECUTIVE, CLYDE BLOWERS

Jim McColl, OBE, epitomises the vibrancy and power in Scotland's industrial west-coast heartland – and how it has modernised itself for the 21st century.

He grew up in one of the few council houses in Carmunnock, a village between East Kilbride and Glasgow, and left Rutherglen Academy at 16 to take up an apprenticeship at Glasgow-based Weir Pumps. He collected academic qualifications, including an MBA, and took managerial jobs to establish a name as someone who could turn around struggling companies.

He led a management buy-out of Clyde Blowers and it has developed a portfolio of global engineering firms. Mr McColl's stake in Clyde Blowers is now valued at 350 million. Last year, he bought Weir Pumps, turning it into Clyde Pumps, saving hundreds of jobs. His awards include Strathclyde University's Alumnus of the Year 1998, Entrepreneur of the Year 1999-2000 and Ernst & Young's Master Entrepreneur of the Year, 2001.

30 IAN MARCHANT

SCOTTISH & SOUTHERN ENERGY

Ian Marchant is head of Perth-based Scottish & Southern Energy, which is behind the highly controversial Beauly-Denny power line. He trained as an accountant and was seconded to the department of energy where he worked on electricity privatisation. He joined the then-Southern Electric in 1992 as head of corporate financial planning before taking over as finance director in 1996, a role he retained at the merger with Scottish Hydro-Electric in 1998. He then took over as chief executive, giving the firm one of the youngest FTSE 100 profiles. He is also chairman of the UK Business Council for Sustainable Energy and the Climate Change Business Delivery Group, a member of Ofgem's Environmental Advisory Group, the Coal Forum and of the Energy Research Partnership.In all senses, a powerful Scot with huge influence in the crucial energy sector – and in the crucible of discussion where business meets the green lobby and tries to find answers suitable for the future of Scotland.

COUNTDOWN

50 CATHERINE LOCKERBIE DIRECTOR, EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL BOOK FESTIVAL

49 TOM DALRYMPLE GLOBESPAN GROUP

48 KEITH SKEOCH CHIEF EXECUTIVE, STANDARD LIFE INVESTMENTS

47 STEWART MILNE HOUSEBUILDER

46 DUNCAN MACLAREN CHIEF EXECUTIVE, FRIENDS OF THE EARTH SCOTLAND

45 PETER CUMMINGS CORPORATE CHIEF EXECUTIVE, BANK OF SCOTLAND

44 FORD KIERNAN and GREG HEMPHILL COMEDIANS/PRODUCERS

43 PAT WATTERS PRESIDENT, COSLA

42 JOHN LEIGHTON DIRECTOR, NATIONAL GALLERIES

41 GEOFF ELLIS CHIEF EXECUTIVE, DF CONCERTS

40 ROBIN HARPER and PATRICK HARVIE SCOTTISH GREEN PARTY MSPS

39 GORDON SMITH CHIEF EXECUTIVE, SFA

38 GORDON MCKIE CHIEF EXECUTIVE, SRU

37 DAVID MILNE FOUNDER, WOLFSON MICROELECTRONICS

36 NICOLA STURGEON DEPUTY FIRST MINISTER

35 KEVIN MACDONALD FILM DIRECTOR

34 KIRSTY WARK & ALAN CLEMENTS TV PRODUCERS

33 EILEEN GALLAGHER CHIEF EXECUTIVE, SHED PRODUCTIONS

32 JACK PERRY CHIEF EXECUTIVE, SCOTTISH ENTERPRISE

31 WALTER SMITH and GORDON STRACHAN MANAGERS OF RANGERS AND CELTIC