McKie handed role as the new SRU chief

Published on Tuesday 9 August 2005 14:21

GLASGOW-BORN Gordon McKie was today named as the new SRU chief executive.

The 48-year-old will take over on Monday from Fred McLeod, who has filled the position on an interim basis since the departure of Phil Anderton.

McKie is a graduate of Heriot-Watt University and began his career with Arthur Young McClelland Moores as an audit senior, before he joined SDA as an investment analyst between 1982 and 1984. Since then he has worked in senior positions with companies like TSB Scotland plc, John Menzies plc and Murray International Holdings.

Most recently he has been chief executive of Semple plc (formerly Semple Cochrane plc), an appointment instigated by the Bank of Scotland in September 2002 immediately following a de-listing from the London Stock Exchange. The company provided mechanical and engineering sub-contract services.

Despite a significant reduction in the company's loss-making the business was unable to generate new orders and, consequently ceased trading in May.

One of McKie's main tasks at Murrayfield will be to try and turnaround the SRU's finances after years of significant losses.

And Scottish Rugby board chairman Allan Munro said:

"Gordon is very well known in the financial sector as a chief executive with an outstanding reputation for helping transform businesses and in change management.

"I am confident that Gordon will bring exceptional hands-on leadership to Scottish Rugby and will be instrumental in securing a much better future for the business and, in turn, our game."

McKie said: "As a keen rugby spectator I know there has been much change in the sport over the last ten years and I look forward to the challenge of leading a very professional and dedicated team of people so that Scottish Rugby can become a much more structured business and face the future with increased confidence."

SRU president Andy Irvine also hailed McKie's arrival. "I said on my election that the most important role at Murrayfield was the chief executive who would be responsible for running the business day-to-day.

"I think that we are extremely fortunate to have secured someone of Gordon's tremendous talent and I am certain that he will deliver Scottish Rugby from the position it is now in to a business in more robust health in the period ahead."