Steve Graham switches to academia

STEVE Graham, the director of the highly regarded Scottish Manufacturing Advisory Service (SMAS), has unexpectedly resigned to head Strathclyde University's new renewable energy centre.

SMAS advises manufacturing businesses on how they can improve their products and processes. Graham, who was hired to head the new group nearly five years ago, is credited with a string of successes.

Since SMAS was established in 2006, the service has delivered almost 50 million in added value for manufacturers, which have enjoyed a minimum return on investment of 11 for every 1 spent. The body's budget last year was 2.3m.

Graham is expected to leave SMAS in October to take up his new role as executive director of the Technology and Innovation Centre for Renewable Energy and Enabling Technologies at Strathclyde, the brainchild of principal Professor Jim McDonald, himself a former engineer.

A spokeswoman for Scottish Enterprise, which runs SMAS, said an interim director was expected to be appointed within the next month while the search continues for a successor.

Peter Hughes, chief executive of trade body Scottish Engineering and also a member of Strathclyde University's court, said SMAS's loss was academia's gain.

He said: "SMAS is very well respected among our 400 members - we've had great feedback about its services. Steve has built a very strong team and he leaves behind very big boots to fill."

Liz Cameron, chief executive of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce, added: "SMAS has been one of the most successful programmes introduced by Scottish Enterprise. Steve Graham has been a fantastic leader supported by a strong board of directors."