Colin Hutchison is appointed as our new Chief Executive Officer

Wednesday 27th January 2021

Colin Hutchison is ready to take up role as our new CEO next week (photo by Bobby Gavin)

Mark Munro looks back on 10 years ahead of his move to UK Athletics

scottishathletics are delighted to confirm Colin Hutchison has been appointed as our new CEO.

Our current Head of Development will take up the chief executive role next week when Mark Munro heads for a new job with UK Athletics.

Colin, 35, emerged from a series of strong candidates after a recruitment process which has taken place over the past two months.

Chair Ian Beattie led the process with support from David Ovens, who takes over in that role later this year.

Stewart Harris, CEO of sportscotland, and Eilidh Doyle, Scotland’s most decorated track and field athlete, were also heavily involved in the interview and selection process.

The appointment mirrors the approach five years ago when Mark stepped up from his role as Head of Development – with Colin having joined us four years ago after employment with Bowls Scotland.

‘I am delighted at Colin Hutchison’s appointment as CEO,’ said Ian.

‘There was considerable interest in the role from a strong range of candidates and a robust recruitment process has taken place over the last two months.

‘Throughout this process Colin was able to demonstrate an excellent awareness of the priorities for scottishathletics in the years ahead and articulated a strong vision of how he intended to lead the organisation over that period.

‘I wish Colin all the best in his new role and look forward to working closely with him until I hand over the role of Chair to David Ovens in September.’

‘Tireless volunteers are the fabric of the sport in Scotland’ – Colin Hutchison

Ian Beattie – delighted with the CEO recruitment process (photo via Lindsays)

‘I can’t wait for a full return of club competition’ – Ian Beattie

Colin immediately underlined that the strong focus on clubs and people as key drivers for all aspects of athletics in Scotland will remain as he seeks to lead effectively the staff and the vast volunteer ‘workforce’ which underpins our sport.

‘It is a great honour to have been appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of scottishathletics and I am extremely grateful to the Board for giving me the opportunity,’ he said.

‘I have loved working for the organisation for the past four years and it has been a pleasure to support, learn from, and collaborate with so many great clubs, coaches, leaders and volunteers.

‘Despite the obvious challenges facing us all currently, athletics in Scotland is well-placed to emerge in a stable position from the pandemic and I know that working closely with all the stakeholders in athletics the sport will come back even stronger.

‘The success of athletics in Scotland over the past decade has been driven by placing clubs and people at the heart of everything we do.

‘This continued approach, alongside delivering the strategic initiatives outlined in (our strategy) ‘Building a Culture of Success’, will ensure continued success at all levels.

‘This is a crucial year for everyone involved in the sport, from those working in and supporting clubs, to athletes and coaches focussing on major championships in 2021 and 2022, and I look forward to working alongside our great staff team and Board to continue supporting and developing athletics in Scotland.’

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