Lord Smith of Kelvin to chair Clyde Gateway

Lord Smith of Kelvin, the chairman of the Edinburgh-based Green Investment Bank and who chaired the Smith Commission on Scottish devolution, will now lead Clyde Gateway to deliver on the post-2014 Commonwealth Games legacy.

He takes up the unpaid post having been the chairman of the Commonwealth Games organising committee.

The work focuses on regenerating Glasgow’s east end and he will being in his new role next month.

Clyde Gateway is home to some of the major venues and locations associated with the 2014 Games, including the Athletes’ Village and The Emirates Arena and Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome.

Established in December 2007 as a partnership between Glasgow City Council, South Lanarkshire Council, Scottish Enterprise and the Scottish Government as a 20-year project to regenerate the local communities in Dalmarnock, Bridgeton, Parkhead and a slither of south Lanarkshire over two decades.

Lord Smith will succeed Lanarkshire-based businessman Neil MacDonald, who is stepping down after three years he was the second of two chairmen to head the quango since it was set up in 2007.

Lord Smith stressed success already clocked up under his predecessor, including a new police HQ for the west of Scotland to replace the old Pitt Street.

Officers and staff have already started moving in that building and tenants are also starting to pick up the keys of some 700 new homes that had, temporarily, served as the athletes’ village for last summer’s games.

A legacy hub is also going up in the shadow of the main games venues at Celtic Park and the neighbouring velodrome and indoor arena.

Lord Smith said: “I am delighted to be given this opportunity to shape and influence the continued delivery of the Games legacy.

“The 2014 Commonwealth Games came with a promise that the event would be a springboard for a continued and sustainable transformation of the east end, one which would go on for many years after the athletes and officials had returned home and Clyde Gateway is at the forefront of ensuring this happens.”

He added: “The next Commonwealth Games are a little more than three years away in Australia, at which time many people will look back and ask what exactly has been the legacy for Glasgow.

“I intend to ensure that when they look at the Clyde Gateway communities they will see it has been every bit as world-class as the Games were themselves.”

Clyde Gateway chief executive Ian Manson said: “The role of our independent chair is vitally important.

“It requires someone who has the experience of the public and private sectors together with an understanding of how they have to work in tandem with the wishes of local residents and business owners.

“Lord Smith is a perfect fit for us at this time, some seven years along a journey that is going to take two decades to complete.

“He not only has all that we are looking for but he brings the addition of his much-stated desire to ensure the continued building of a Games legacy.”