Young Scot boss to join Institute of Directors Scotland as first female national director

Young Scot’s chief executive is to join the Institute of Directors Scotland as its first female national director.

Louise Macdonald joins the business membership organisation from Young Scot where she has worked for the last 20 years, leading the body as its chief executive for the last 12 years.

Macdonald, who is due to take up the role in the summer, replaces Malcolm Cannon who left the organisation in late 2020.

Aidan O’Carroll, chairman of the Institute of Directors (IoD) Scotland added: “The national director role requires not only support for our members but also our team, and I know that Louise will lead them with great energy and purpose.

The Institute of Directors Scotland has announced that Louise Macdonald OBE is to join the business membership organisation as national director.

“Louise’s experience in leading a high-profile organisation over the last 12 years, in addition to her non-executive board roles, impressed us considerably and we believe that she has the right skills, connections and experiences to ensure that our members’ voices will be heard loud and clear.

“The IoD has been working tirelessly to represent those views with both Scottish and UK governments, and Louise will be a force for meaningful and continuous engagement.”

He added: “As we move out of the pandemic, building a fully inclusive, dynamic and collaborative leadership talent in Scotland will be vital. We want all leaders at whatever stage in their careers to consider the benefits of joining us and Louise will bring fantastic experience in connecting across the whole spectrum of talent in Scotland and beyond.”

Macdonald, who holds an OBE, said: “The IoD is an organisation I have huge respect for, especially in its cross-sector collaborative approach developed in Scotland over recent years.

“As a member I have been able to experience the different facets of the organisation and am excited by its potential for growth and impact.

“Business leaders in Scotland are now about to enter a new chapter as they seek to ensure their businesses come out of the pandemic securely and sustainably.

“I am passionate about ensuring their voices are heard and that they take full advantage of the practical and meaningful support the IoD can provide to them as individuals. The IoD itself has done a considerable amount of work and learning to adapt to the new working world and I look forward to supporting that journey as I join the organisation later this year.”

Jon Geldart, director general of the Institute of Directors, said: “Louise has an exemplary reputation amongst the business community in Scotland. Her leading the organisation in Scotland highlights an exciting moment for us in our ongoing evolution. I look forward to her joining us later this year.”

The Institute of Directors was founded in 1903 and obtained a royal charter in 1906. Membership includes directors from across the business spectrum – from media to manufacturing, e-business to the public and voluntary sectors.

Members include chief executives and managing directors of large corporations as well as entrepreneurs and directors of public sector bodies, charities and start-up companies.

IoD in Scotland has seven branches – Edinburgh, Glasgow, central, Fife and Tayside, south of Scotland, Aberdeen and Highlands and Islands.

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