SIR John Ward, appointed yesterday as the new chairman of Scottish Enterprise, has had a multi-faceted career as leader in both government quangos and private business.
A chartered accountant to trade, Ward spent 29 years with IBM, culminating in his appointment as resident director for Scotland and the north of England until his retirement in 1996.
He is currently chairman of the Scottish Qualifications Authority. The executive said he will remain in the post until a replacement is found. Ward also currently chairs the board of governors of Queen Margaret University and Dunfermline Building Society.
Elsewhere in the business arena, Ward has held a wide range of appointments - including the chairmanships of Macfarlane, CBI Scotland, Scot-
tish Homes, Quality Scotland Foundation, and the Scottish Electronics Forum.
He joined Macfarlane as a non-executive director in 1995, and took over the chairman's role when its eponymous founder retired in 1998.
Ward announced his resignation in October after serving as both the company's chairman and chief executive after the abrupt departure of Iain Duffin in May last year. Duffin had previously relieved Ward of his first spell of executive duties at Macfarlane upon being appointed chief executive May 1999.
Ward was recognised for services to public life in Scotland and was awarded a knighthood in December 2002.
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