The South-West hub Company (hubCo), established to deliver value-for-money on public sector community-based infrastructure across Ayrshire, Lanarkshire and Dumfries & Galloway, has appointed John McClelland CBE, as Chairman.

Over the years John has held numerous senior board positions with various international firms including IBM and Philips, and as a result has gained extensive experience of procurement and supply-chain operations. Consequently, on behalf of the Scottish Government in 2006, John conducted a review of public sector procurement which led to the publication of the McClelland Report which has revolutionised procurement across Scotland.

The Scotland-wide hub initiative is led by the Scottish Futures Trust and reflects a national approach to establish collaborative working practices between health boards, local authorities and blue light services with private sector development partners to deliver best value when building new infrastructure. The South-West hubCo was officially formed in late 2012 and brings together a partnership of 14 public bodies and the Alliance Community Partnerships to deliver the hub programme, valued at over £600m across the region.

-- Advertisement --

Speaking of his appointment, John McClelland, said: "I'm delighted to be taking up this position and I am very much looking forward to being part of the successful hub programme, working with the public and private sector partners to help deliver real benefits and savings to the local people.

"Across the whole of Scotland, the long-term nature of the hub programme helps create new local employment and training which is vital in the current economic climate, as well as supporting the development of long-term sustainable businesses in local communities."

Nick Parker, representing the South-West hubCo, explained: "We are naturally delighted to have appointed someone of John’s caliber as Chairman. John brings with him a wealth of knowledge and experience of the private and public sectors which is vital to the successful delivery of all future major infrastructure projects across the territory."

John Hope, accommodation director at the Scottish Futures Trust, stated: "John McClelland is a prominent business figure and his commercial experience will be invaluable to the on-going success of the South-West hubCo.

"We very much look forward to working with John in helping to make a real difference to communities in the South-West of Scotland and to both help create and protect many construction jobs across the region."

(GK)