EY exec set to take chair role at Scottish financial sector trade body

Financial sector veteran Sue Dawe's appointment as SFE chair is to be confirmed at an extraordinary general meeting of the trade body next month. Picture: contributed.

Trade body Scottish Financial Enterprise is set to soon welcome a new chair with the news that incumbent John McGuigan – who holds the same title at both Scottish Friendly and Scottish Rugby – has announced his intention to stand down.

The organisation has revealed that sector veteran Sue Dawe, EY’s head of financial services in Scotland and current SFE deputy chair (having joined its board in 2019), is to take his place, with the appointment to be confirmed at an extraordinary general meeting next month.

SFE said McGuigan took on the role in November 2022, having joined its board in 2016, having previously spent nine years with Standard Life and Phoenix Group as group customer director, as well as time in Munich as MD of sales and service for Telefonica. He was appointed chair of Scottish Rugby in 2023 and of mutual insurer Scottish Friendly earlier this year.

Sandy Begbie, chief executive of SFE, said: “On behalf of SFE and our members, I’d like to thank John for his leadership and direction, both during his tenure as chair and since joining the SFE board. He has brought a wealth of experience and insight to the SFE board, and while I am sad to see him go, John’s leadership has helped build the strong, diverse and committed board that will continue to drive our organisation as we deliver on our strategy.

“John has presided over continued growth for our organisation, both in terms of our membership and our profile, in championing the interests of Scotland’s financial and professional services sector. He has been very supportive to me, and leaves SFE with our very best wishes.”

Dawe, whose other roles include in 2020 being appointed a patron of Women in Banking and Finance, last month commented when EY revealed that Scotland had retained the top spot for UK financial services foreign direct investment outside London. She said: “Scotland's financial services sector is a great example of resilience and innovation. Financial services continues to be a pillar of the Scottish and UK economy – and is only increasing its position as pivotal player on the international stage.”