Search is under way for Games supremo

Jan 25 2008 By Greig Cameron

Process heats up amid calls for chief executive to have strong business knowledge and connections to Scottish sport

The official search for the right candidate to deliver a successful Commonwealth Games in Glasgow has now begun.

Adverts for the post of chief executive for 2014 will be in newspapers and online this weekend.

But the recruitment process is likely to take several months with other senior posts not up for grabs until later this year.

Derek Casey, director of the successful bid and interim chief executive of Glasgow 2014, said: "With the recruitment process starting for the Chief Executive just 10 weeks after we won the right to host the Games in Sri Lanka we are underlining our commitment that Glasgow and Scotland will be fully ready for the Games in 2014.

"Other senior appointments will be advertised later in the year, but the recruitment of the Chief Executive post is a crucial starting point for the Organising Committee."

Steve Haggerty, managing director of Munro Consulting, who are handling the recruitment process, said: "We're delighted to have been approached to source the Chief Executive for the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

"This is a hugely exciting and dynamic role. We're in no doubt this opportunity will attract the highest calibre individual to Glasgow to continue the great work of the Bid Team."

A chairman for the Games is expected be appointed later this year to work alongside the chief executive.

Scotland rejoiced when the announcement was made that the 2014 Games would be held in Glasgow, pictured above.

But now the search is on to put together a team capable of delivering the sporting extravaganza.

The chief executive is likely to have experience of major event planning, project management, media relations and budgeting, as well as a good knowledge of sport.

Geoff Wightman, chief executive of Scottish Athletics, said: "I think a blend of business and sport is the ideal quality but if you look at how Paul Deighton is doing with London 2012 he has come from a modest background in sport but a really strong business background.

"That coupled with almost the opposite qualities of Seb Coe as chair seems to work quite well.

"It would be nice if they were Scottish and consistent with the philosophy of developing homegrown talent but really it is getting the best person for the job.

"There is a difference to the type of person you would appoint as chair in a figurehead role to the person looking after the day to day delivery and hands on operational stuff as chief executive.

"Somebody like Tom Farmer I would see as a great chair."

Rugby star Gavin Hastings, who now runs the Capital One sport and event management agency, agrees it is crucial that the right candidate is found the the chief executive's role.

He said: "It is a big role, a huge responsibility. They must have a complete understanding of everything to do with staging a major sporting event.

"It is not necessarily for me the business background per se, but the overall package. In the ideal world you would hope the strongest candidate would have a strong relationship with Scotland and has a strong sense and knowledge of the Scots."

Brent Deans, chief operating officer of the Scottish Hockey Union, said: "It has to be somebody who has a lot of expertise in managing project teams and timelines.

"I don't think a sporting background is the be all and end all. I think it would be about 70 per cent business and 30 per cent sport if you are looking at it as a bias