John Scott, 56, will lead the Organising Company, the body responsible for delivering the Commonwealth Games. Currently the International Director and Director of Drug Free Sport at UK Sport, he has over 30 years of experience in domestic and international sport, including major events.

Speaking at a press conference in Glasgow today Mr Scott said he was “delighted at the opportunity to deliver the Games for Glasgow and Scotland.

“I’m passionate about sport and this is certainly the most exciting opportunity of my career. I’m determined that in 2014 the thousands of athletes, officials, spectators and those watching at home will experience the best Commonwealth Games ever staged.

“The hard work begins now, building on the outstanding foundation provided by the Bid Team. Through these Games, the whole Commonwealth will see what an amazing place Scotland is. With world-class facilities and venues, world – class competition and a fantastic cultural offering we also want to showcase the very best of the city of Glasgow.

“I’m looking forward to working closely with the partners in the Games – the Commonwealth Games Council for Scotland, the Scottish Government, Glasgow City Council and the Commonwealth Games Federation – to make sure that we leave a strong and lasting sporting, social and economic legacy for the next generation in Scotland and throughout the Commonwealth”

Among Mr Scott’s wide-ranging responsibilities as chief executive include delivering the sports programme, monitoring the development of new and improved infrastructure, managing the staff of the OC which will rise to several hundred people by 2014, and recruiting and training the 15,000 volunteers needed for the Games. Following the exciting Bid Stage the immediate task for Mr Scott will be to establish the Organising Committee in preparation for the actual delivery of the Games following the Games in Delhi in 2010.

As planned from early in 2007, interim Chief Executive Derek Casey, who acted as Bid Director up until decision day on November 9th, will leave the OC to continue his international academic, sport and charity work as Mr Scott comes into post.

Sir Robert Smith, Chairman of the Organising Company for Glasgow 2014, welcomed Mr Scott’s appointment.

“John has extensive experience of major events and I’m sure will deliver an outstanding Games for Glasgow, Scotland and the Commonwealth in 2014. This is the biggest opportunity we will ever have to show the international community what a great country Scotland is and our capability at staging major events, and John has the leadership to deliver that.”

“Less than six months have passed since decision day on November 9th and the progress we’ve made so far has been outstanding. We have established the Organising Company, published an Operational Review of the Bid and met the key elements included in our original 100 day plan.

Scotland’s First Minister Alex Salmond said Mr Scott’s 30 years experience in major sporting events would be a significant factor in ensuring Glasgow 2014 were the best Commonwealth Games ever. He said:

“In John Scott and Sir Robert Smith, the team delivering the 2014 Games for Glasgow and Scotland are being led by massively experienced and ambitious individuals who have made it their primary objective to deliver the greatest sporting showcase ever seen in Scotland.

“The event might be six years away, but the work to deliver a successful and memorable Games – and a positive legacy for future generations across Scotland – are already well underway. John Scott’s appointment is another important milestone on the route to 2014.”

Councillor Steven Purcell, Leader of Glasgow City Council, said: “We welcome this excellent appointment, as John has a great track record in dealing with sport at the highest level. I am certain that he will do an outstanding job in leading the Organising Company to deliver a great Commonwealth Games in 2014, an event that will leave a great legacy for Glasgow and Scotland.”

Sir robert and John Scott shaking hands at launch on bridge for web.jpgMichael Cavanagh, Chair of the Commonwealth Games Council for Scotland (CGCS) said:
“The Commonwealth Games Council for Scotland are delighted at the appointment of John Scott as the CEO of Glasgow 2014 Ltd. John brings significant experience in high level major events to this key role, as well as the leadership qualities he has shown during his time with UK Sport in recent years.
“I look forward to working closely with John and the other members of the Glasgow 2014 Organising Committee, to ensure that the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow are the most successful ever.”

The Glasgow 2014 Games will be the biggest multi-sports event that Scotland will ever host, bringing over 6,000 athletes and officials from 71 countries to the city to compete in 17 different sports over 11 days. With a budget of £375 million including public investment of £298m the Commonwealth Games are expected to bring significant sporting, economic and social benefits to Glasgow and Scotland.
John Scott Biography

John Scott will come into post as Chief Executive of the Organising Company of
Glasgow 2014 on August 4th 2008.
He is currently the International Director and Director of Drug Free Sport at UK Sport
where he is responsible for major events, international relations and leads the UK
national anti-doping organisation.
His first involvement in major sport event management came in the 1980s when he
was seconded to the Federal Government of Canada to set up a new division
managing the governments’ support for major events and international development.
He led the Canadian governments’ investment in the Victoria Commonwealth Games
(1994) and was a member of the bid committee for Canada’s successful bid to host
the 1999 Winnipeg Pan American Games.
He was heavily involved in the Federal Inquiry into doping in sport following Ben
Johnson’s positive drug test at the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games.
In 1999 he established the highly successful World Class Events Programme for UK
Sport, which uses Lottery money to bring major sporting events to the UK and has so
far delivered over 120 events across the whole of the UK. He has led the development
of a number of evaluation tools for major events including an economic impact model
that has become an industry standard, used to assess over 40 events in the UK,
including several in Scotland.
He was a Board member of the highly successful 2002 Manchester Commonwealth
Games and the 1994 Victoria Commonwealth Games, and a special adviser to the
government on the feasibility study for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic
Games bid. He has attended six Commonwealth and six Olympic Games in various
capacities.
John has also served on numerous international committees and working groups for
organisations such as the IOC, UNDP, UNESCO and the Commonwealth Secretariat,
and was the Chairman of the Council of Europe Committee for the Development of
Sport. He was the UK representative on the Commonwealth Advisory Committee on
Sport for 5 years. He is currently Vice President of the Association of National Anti
Doping Organisations.
He is married with three sons.