The Minister for Communities and Sport Stewart Maxwell today announced the appointment of Louise Martin CBE as Chair of sportscotland. 

Martin led Scotland's successful bid to bring the 2014 Commonwealth Games to Glasgow, as Chairman of the Commonwealth Games Council.

Martin was first elected to Commonwealth Games Council in 1986 and has served two terms as chair, the first woman to hold this post on the CGCS.

She is also currently the Commonwealth Games Federation Honorary Secretary, being re-elected unopposed for a third term in November 2007. Her sporting background is in swimming and gymnastics. She was an international swimmer for 10 years representing Scotland at the 1962 Commonwealth Games in Perth, Australia and then as coach and trainer of swimming. 

Maxwell said the appointment was a significant step in ensuring the new national body delivers effectively and efficiently for sport.

He said: “This is an exciting time for Scottish sport and I am delighted that Louise Martin CBE, a leading figure in the industry, will be chairing our newly streamlined national body.

“Mrs Martin led Scotland's successful bid to host the 2014 Commonwealth Games - she has shown a strong commitment to the development of sport and a clear understanding of the challenges facing sportscotand.

“The wealth of experience and knowledge which Louise will bring to the Board will help to ensure sportscotland delivers for sport effectively and efficiently, for the benefit of the whole country.”

This appointment will be for a period of four years from June 2, 2008 to May 31, 2012. This post is part-time with a time commitment of 2.5 days per week for which the annual remuneration is £27,531.

Earlier this year sportscotland was merged with the Scottish Institute of sport, into a single body, under a single board. It is the national agency for developing sport in Scotland, dedicated to helping increase participation and improve performance in sport.  The organisation works with and brings together key organisations in Scottish sport, such as Governing Bodies and Local Authorities, supporting them in delivering their single plan for sport and investing National Lottery and Scottish Government funding in the shared outcomes which contribute to the National Strategy for Sport - Reaching Higher.

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