Wood Group boss Keiller named new Scottish Enterprise Chair

Scottish Enterprise has named its new chairman as Bob Keiller, who is retiring from oil services firm Wood Group.

He will take over from current SE chairman Crawford Gillies on January 1 – the day after he leaves Aberdeen-based Wood Group, the firm he has led for the past three years.

It was announced last month that Mr Keiller was to retire as Wood Group chief executive officer where he will be replaced by Robin Watson, currently chief operating officer, on New Year’s Day.

Scottish Enterprise chief executive Dr Lena Wilson said he had a “wealth of leadership and business experience”.

Deputy First Minister and Finance Secretary, John Swinney, announced the appointment.

He said: “I am delighted that Bob will be joining the Board of Scottish Enterprise, and I know that Scottish Enterprise will benefit from his extensive experience. I wish him well and look forward to working with him.”

Mr Keiller admitted there was a lot he had to learn about industries outside oil and gas, but that was part of the attraction of his new role.

Mr Keiller added: “I am looking forward to working with the team at Scottish Enterprise to build on the good work they have been doing and help them to improve even more. Scotland needs a vibrant and inclusive economy and Scottish Enterprise has a catalytic part to play in achieving this.”

SE has its headquarters in Glasgow and is responsible in 2015-16 for a budget of £321.3 million.