In-coming athletics chief confident of sport’s future

Colin Hutchison, currently head of development, will move up to the top job with the national governing body next week as Mark Munro heads for a new role with UK Athletics after ten years with Scottish Athletics.

Multiple medallist and board member, Eilidh Doyle, from Kinross, rubber-stamped the appointment after playing a key role in the recruitment process.

And Hutchison, who joined Scottish Athletics in January 2017, believes that an on-going focus on clubs and people can help athletics recover from the pandemic, which has hit membership and group activity during lockdown.

“Despite the obvious challenges facing us all currently, athletics in Scotland is well-placed to emerge in a stable position from the pandemic and I know that with everyone involved working closely the sport in Scotland will come back even stronger,” he said.

“The success of athletics in Scotland over the past decade has been driven by placing clubs and people at the heart of everything we do.

“This continued approach, alongside delivering the strategic initiatives outlined in our ‘Building a Culture of Success’ strategy, will ensure continued success at all levels.

“This is a crucial year for everyone involved in the sport, from those working in and supporting clubs, to athletes and coaches focussing on major championships in 2021 and 2022, and I look forward to working alongside our great staff team and Board to continue supporting and developing athletics in Scotland.’

Hutchison’s promotion actually mirrors the internal appointment move made by Munro some five years ago after he had joined the organisation in 2011 as Head of Development.

Chair Ian Beattie led the process with support from David Ovens, who is taking over in that role in September. Scotland’s most decorated athlete Doyle and Stewart Harris, CEO of sportscotland, were also heavily involved in the recruitment process.

“I am delighted at Colin Hutchison’s appointment as CEO,” said Ian.