The Scottish Event Campus (SEC) has appointed Dominic McKay as its new chief executive. McKay joins the SEC
in May from European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) in Switzerland where he is
currently executive chairman.
The appointment comes
as the SEC enters its 40th year and is in the midst of an ambitious growth plan that aims to deliver
significant financial return for Scotland and Glasgow. The SEC currently
contributes an estimated £468m expenditure in Glasgow, £304m in Scotland and
£263m in the UK.
McKay has a wealth
of experience from organisations across Europe, including
ECPR, where he established a new strategy for the organisation as well as
leading the board and executive in the development and growth of the Investec
European Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup across Europe and South
Africa. He was also CEO at Celtic Football Club and chief operating officer and executive director of Scottish Rugby Union for 13 years, leading
the development of the organisation into a modern, consumer focused sporting
and entertainment business. He
also attracted major live entertainment promoters and performers and more than
doubled Scottish Rugby’s commercial revenues and regularly ensured major events
and international sporting fixtures took place in front of sell-out crowds at
Murrayfield National Stadium.
Dominic McKay said: “I am delighted to be joining the SEC as chief executive officer at such an exciting time as the board looks to the future to develop the SEC and its iconic venues.
“I have been impressed by the ambition and determination of the board to build on the SEC’s outstanding pedigree as a truly world class entertainment and events destination with its incredible venues; OVO Hydro, SEC Armadillo and SEC Centre.
“I look forward to working with the board and leading the team to establish a new strategy that will include exciting new development plans for the campus while ensuring the SEC and its venues continue to be a thriving destination for the world’s greatest musicians, performers and international and national events. The SEC rightly has a fantastic reputation putting Glasgow and Scotland firmly on the global entertainment stage and for delivering an outstanding experience for customers across all of its venues. I look forward to working with the whole team, the Board and the wider stakeholders to develop the SEC for the future.”
In 2025 the SEC is set to welcome seven new names to its roster of exhibitions – these include Ideal Home, All Energy and the Scottish Caravan, Motorhomes and Holiday Home Show. The venue will also welcome the British Society for Haematology, the Energy Networks Association and the European Academy of Clinical Allergology and Immunology among many other conferences and corporate events that are key to the city. Work has already started to prepare for the Commonwealth Games in 2026, when the SEC will again host several events building on the success of the 2014 Games.
SEC chair Morag
McNeill said: “We are thrilled to welcome Dominic as CEO. He joins at a
very exciting time for the SEC as we develop our strategy for the campus over
the next decade. Dominic brings an incredible breadth of strategic, commercial,
entertainment and operational experience from his previous roles on the
national and international stage. He is a strategic leader and has a proven
track record of delivering growth with a real focus on customer experience and
partnership working.
“The success of the
SEC is hugely important to Glasgow and Scotland and Dominic has strong
relationships with many of the SEC’s key stakeholders and partners, including
our major shareholder Glasgow City Council and our wider stakeholder family.
The whole board looks forward to working with Dominic as we continue our
ambitious plans for the business.”
Glasgow City
Council leader Susan Aitken said: “Dominic has an exceptional track record and will be a
real ambassador for the SEC and the city at a crucial time for the campus.
“He is a very
experienced, strategic leader and I’m looking forward to seeing the impact he
has on the business over the years ahead.”
