Ex-Labour minister Susan Deacon named first female chair of IoD Scotland

Former health minister Susan Deacon will become the first woman to chair the the Institute of Directors in Scotland.

Deacon, who served as Scotland’s first health minister under devolution, will take over from Ian McKay as of tomorrow.

She was elected MSP for Edinburgh East and Musselburgh in 1999 before standing down from Holyrood in 2007.

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Deacon is currently a professorial fellow at the University of Edinburgh and a non-executive director of ScottishPower Ltd, Lothian Buses Ltd and the Institute of Occupational Medicine.

She said: “It is crucially important that Scotland remains a good place in which to invest and do business.

“Over the years, I have had the privilege to work with a wide range of people and organisations who are driving creativity, innovation, enterprise and growth across Scotland.

“IoD Scotland has a key role to play in supporting Scotland’s business leaders to ensure their voices are heard and their contribution is recognised.

“Achieving economic success and social progress go hand in hand. With more powers being devolved to Scotland, and Holyrood elections next year, it is vital that that policymakers work to support and enable enterprise and do not put obstacles or constraints in its way.”

The former Labour minister will officially succeed McKay tomorrow at the IoD Scotland annual conference in Loch Lomond.  

McKay said: “The future of the IoD is in excellent hands with Susan at the helm. Her varied experience and approach to leadership will be of real benefit to the IoD at a time when boards are increasingly embracing change.”