Boardroom reshuffle at Exchange

BOB Keiller, chief executive of Aberdeen-based Production Services Network, has taken over as chairman of the Entrepreneurial Exchange, it was yesterday revealed.

Keiller, who led a $280 million (184m) management buy-out of PSN, an engineering and maintenance services firm, in 2006, replaces Chris Gorman in a boardroom re-shuffle that also sees John McGlynn, founder of the Airlink Group, become vice-chairman of the Exchange.

Charan Gill, the Glasgow restaurateur, has stepped down as vice-chairman, while electronics entrepreneur Chris Van Der Kuyl and Tony Banks, managing director of the Balhousie Care Group, have agreed to join the board of the group, set up in 1994 to support Scottish business founders. Van Der Kuyl and Banks replace Brian Williamson and Alan McCafferty.

Since Keiller launched a management buy-out of PSN from KBR Hamilton, it has become one of Scotland's biggest firms with a turnover of $1.2 billion and an order book of $2.3bn.

Keiller said he intends to use his chairmanship of the Exchange over the next two years to reach out to potential members in more remote locations. He also aims to increase the services on offer so that the organisation is not just a "social club" for members but helps entrepreneurs to grow their businesses.

"I feel the Exchange is a hugely successful organisation and I am hugely proud to be chairman for the next two years," Keiller said.

"However, the feedback I get from members is we are not really making the best use of the potential. There are a lot of potential members out there that we have not tapped into yet.

"If you look at the geographical spread, most members are within travelling distance of one of the big cities. There are by definition people further afield who we are not engaging with, and could do, particularly with new technology."

Keiller intends to present a fresh strategy to the board at a meeting later this month.

McGlynn's Paisley-based Airlink Group, founded in 1994, includes parking and property companies.

Earlier this month, he revealed to The Scotsman's sister paper, Scotland on Sunday, that he would move his firm's headquarters to Switzerland if Gordon Brown was re-elected Prime Minister on Thursday.

Commenting on the Exchange appointments, John Anderson, its chief executive, said: "Bob and John have always been very active supporters of the Exchange and I am delighted that they have agreed to take on these important roles.

"Both of them are truly inspiring Scottish entrepreneurs and their backgrounds reflect the breadth and strength of our member representation."