With a 20-year career behind him, Mr Hartley has been instrumental in organising some of Scotland’s most noteworthy events, including the Glasgow 2018 European Championships, the 2015 FIG World Gymnastics Championships and the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.

Mr Harley joined the SEC in June, taking on a role that sees him managing the campus’s multitude of exhibitions, conferences, and live entertainment shows. The SEC is preparing to host several internationally significant events over the coming years, making his appointment particularly timely.

One such event, the 92nd INTERPOL General Assembly, is scheduled for November 2024. The assembly will convene over 1,000 senior delegates from INTERPOL’s 195 member countries, including heads of police, ministers, and top-tier government officials.

Aside from global conferences, the SEC is anticipating a bustling live entertainment season, featuring performances from Elton John, Shania Twain, Deacon Blue, and more before the end of 2023. Scottish Wedding Show and IRN-BRU Carnival are also set to return later this year.

As well as overseeing the operations around all events, Mr Hartley will play an integral role in helping the SEC meet its ambitious strategy of becoming net zero by 2030.

Mr Hartley said: “I’ve been fortunate to work across some of the world’s biggest and most exciting events and I’m delighted to be bringing that experience to the home of Glasgow’s best events – right here at the SEC.

“Glasgow and indeed Scotland, has the capacity to rival even some of the world’s biggest cities when it comes to facilities and accessibility and I’m looking forward to helping the SEC solidify its prominence on the global events stage.”

Peter Duthie, chief executive of the SEC, said: “Colin is by far one of Scotland’s most seasoned event professionals and brings with him a wealth of valuable knowledge and experience. He will be an excellent addition to our senior team as we look to grow the SEC’s reputation as a world-class venue for events at all levels.”