Livingston James Recruits CEO for the Scottish Football Association
May 3, 2018 – The sports and entertainment field is one of the most active and fast-growing sectors for executive search businesses, with many C-suite-focused recruiting firms having been drawn to it. Recently, Livingston James placed Ian Maxwell as the new CEO of the Scottish Football Association (SFA). He replaces Stewart Regan, who resigned three months ago.
Douglas Adam, director in the search firm’s public sector and non-profit recruiting practice, led the assignment. The association was looking for an individual with previous involvement in designing, leading and implementing organizational and cultural change “in a manner that inspires, motivates and engages all employees,” said Livingston James.
Mr. Maxwell fit that bill, promising to bring a large amount of football knowledge to the role. “He has built up a terrific reputation in the industry and is respected across the game,” said Alan McRae, president of SFA. “Ian emerged from a robust recruitment process which attracted interest from a range of candidates across the U.K. and beyond. We were convinced that Ian’s track record, communication skills and leadership qualities will allow him to grasp the challenges of today and fulfill our potential as an association and as a footballing nation in the future.”
Football Background
Mr. Maxwell comes to the SFA from Scottish Premiership club Partick Thistle, where he currently serves as managing director. He will join the SFA on May 21. A former footballer, Mr. Maxwell turned out for Queen’s Park, Ross County, St. Johnstone, St. Mirren and Partick Thistle during his playing career. He served as assistant manager and general manager at Thistle before becoming the club’s managing director in 2014. In addition, Mr. Maxwell has also served on the boards of the SFA and the Scottish Professional Football League.
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“Scottish football has been my life, from playing to coaching and on to managing a club,” said Mr. Maxwell. “I am hugely excited about the role and facing into the big issues that we will need to tackle. The game means so much to so many in this country. I will work tirelessly to serve all our members, support and lead the Scottish FA’s staff and help bring everyone together to shape a better future for Scottish football.”
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As the association’s new leader, Mr. Maxwell will be responsible for planning, directing, controlling and delivering the operations within a strategy and a budget set by the board, said the search firm. He will be expected to contribute not just with the association’s member clubs, affiliated national associations and wider stakeholders such as sportscotland and the Scottish government, but also internationally through participation with UEFA and with FIFA, the world’s governing body.
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SFA is the governing body of football in Scotland. Its focus is to promote, foster and develop the game at all levels and abilities throughout Scotland in an open and inclusive manner. Founded in 1873, the SFA is the second oldest national football association in the world.
The Recruiters
Livingston James, part of the Livingston James Group, is a search and selection practice based in Edinburgh. The firm, founded by Jamie Livingston, works across a range of sectors, specialties and geographies. Mr. Livingston brings deep expertise and experience in the attraction and selection of board and head-of -function-level talent in professional services, private equity and CFO services.
With over 18 years recruitment experience in the public and not-for-profit sectors, Mr. Adam has an extensive network and deep understanding of talent attraction and acquisition at the senior leadership level. He joined Livingston James in 2014 to establish and lead the firm’s public and not-for-profit sector practice. He specializes in senior management, head of function, board and non-executive appointments.
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Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor; Stephen Sawicki, Managing Editor; and Will Schatz, Managing Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
