British sport's anti-doping czar has been named chief executive of the organising company for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.

British sport's anti-doping czar has been named chief executive of the organising company for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.

John Scott told The Herald in an exclusive interview last night that he was "confident of delivering the best Commonwealth Games ever".

He said: "What I see here is fantastic commitment from those who need to be committed. You have a First Minister who has this high on his list of priorities. You have a city which is clearly engaged with this, and wants to be seen as a city of sport. It understands the power of sport. When you have those key ingredients, I'm off to a great start."

The appointment of the man who is currently international director and director of drug-free sport at UK Sport was confirmed by the organising company chairman, Sir Robert Smith. He described him as a man of "experience and vision with international experience and gravitas. John has extensive experience of major events and I'm sure will deliver an outstanding Games for Glasgow, Scotland, and the Commonwealth in 2014."

Mr Scott was one of six people interviewed and according to Mrs Louise Martin who chaired Glasgow's successful bid, "he was by far the outstanding candidatehe ticked all the boxes".

He advised the UK Government on the feasibility of London's 2012 Olympic bid, the Victoria State government on its winning pitch for the 1994 Commonwealth Games, and was on the board of the Manchester Commonwealth Games in 2002, as well as representing Britain on the Commonwealth Advisory Committee on Sport.

Sir Robert, chairman of the Weir Group and Scottish & Southern Energy, was appointed in February because he spoke the language of business. Mr Scott speaks the language of sport and major international events.

In a Scottish context, he cited working with Anne Smillie, chief executive of BadmintonScotland, to bring the world team championships to Glasgow last year, but he has developed what is regarded as the industry standard for evaluating event economic impact. To date he has delivered more than 120 major events across Britain.

"I am passionate about sport, and this is certainly the most exciting opportunity of my career," he said, reviewing an event which will bring 6000 athletes from 71 countries to Scotland. "I'm determined that in 2014 the thousands of athletes, officials, spectators and those watching at home will experience the best Commonwealth Games ever staged."

He will attend a meeting of the new management board tomorrow but must remain in post at UK Sport until August 4, because he is writing the business plan for a new independent British anti-doping organisation which will replace the one he currently heads.

The highest he rose as a competitor was to county standard at squash, and has several coaching qualifications. "I've tried all sports, and that's probably why I haven't excelled at any of them," he said. But he guarantees a world-class Games.

He also hopes his present work will help deliver the most drug-free Games ever in 2014. "You have to have that ambition, because if you ever give up on this fight, I think you lose the integrity of sport. When I talk to high-level athletes - the vast majority of whom in this country I believe are clean - that's what they want. So I think it's a fight worth fighting. I am not unrealistic. I'm not saying we will ever solve the problem, because there are people in every walk of life who will cheat."

His reputation as an anti-doping zealot dates back to when he was on the working group which dealt with the Dubin Inquiry, launched by Canada following Ben Johnson's steroid-fuelled 100 metres charge to Olympic gold in 1988.

He is bullish about keeping the Games within budget (£375m including public investment of £298m) and dismissed comparison with the escalating costs of London 2012. "The big difference for Glasgow is that a large percentage, 70% of facilities, are already in place here."

His new post commands a salary of £150,000 with scope for a 15% performance bonus.

First Minister Alex Salmond said: "In John Scott and Sir Robert Smith, the team delivering the 2014 Games for Glasgow and Scotland are being led by massively experienced and ambitious individuals who have made it their primary objective to deliver the greatest sporting showcase ever seen in Scotland.

"The event might be six years away, but the work to deliver a successful and memorable Games - and a positive legacy for future generations across Scotland - is already well under way. John Scott's appointment is another important milestone on the route to 2014."