Ian Grant, Chairman of the Scottish Exhibition + Conference Centre (SECC), announced two major senior appointment changes within the Company, 7 May 2008.

Mike Closier, 61, Group Chief Executive of SECC since 1992, has been appointed Executive Deputy Chairman of the Company, with the brief of delivering Scotland’s National Arena Project, which includes not only the arena but the redevelopment of the East and West sectors of the site.

John Sharkey, 42, currently Finance Director at SECC, becomes Group Chief Executive of the Company assuming full responsibility for the entire business operation of the SECC group. The new appointments were approved today by the Board, with immediate effect.

Speaking about the changes, Ian Grant explained the rationale: “With the construction of our 12,500-seat purpose-built Arena soon to get underway, the SECC is embarking upon its most exciting chapter since opening in 1985 and we need to capitalise on the expertise of our team to manage this.

“In making the new appointments the Board is recognising the vital importance to the Company in ensuring that we deliver the Arena, which is a major component of Glasgow’s Commonwealth Games and integral to the future of the SECC, and at the same time maintain and grow our current business. I’m delighted to say that we are fortunate in having the perfect people in place to do both.

“Mike’s successful track record in delivering major projects, particularly the Clyde Auditorium, demonstrates that there could be no better candidate to direct the Arena project. Likewise, John’s experience and business acumen make him the ideal choice as Group Chief Executive, and I have every confidence that he will take our core business to new levels.

 “There’s no doubt that over the coming years, with a spectacular new arena on site that will play a very important role in the 2014 Commonwealth Games, the SECC will be under the world’s spotlight and we’re going to be ready to show them that we are world class. Today’s announcement puts the wheels in motion to do this as we embrace our ambitious future.”