Cal Mac seeks “savvy leader” 30/1/12
Cal Mac Ferries is seeking a new "financially savvy and politically astute leader"
to take the helm as the state-
The successful candidate for the managing director's post must have "passion, humility, integrity, resilience, a positive attitude, be mission driven, action oriented and be self directed"
The job pays around £100,000 a year for the new chief to create "excitement for CalMac's mission" and transform its internal culture and operations while steering a course for growth.
The present managing director is Gary Robertson whose fixed six month contract ends in May.
He had been hired immediately after long serving Cal Mac employee Phil Preston left suddenly in November.
There was no real explanation of Mr Preston’s rushed departure after 18 years as an employee.
At the time Cal Mac said Mr Preston had agreed to step down and quit the company
entirely as part of a corporate re-
Under Mr Preston’s guidance passengers had voted the ferry firm as the best transport operator for two years running. It also won a best British ferry company award.
Interviews for the top job are being held in March and it comes with a negotiable salary around £100,000.
Cal Mac’s chief executive Archie Robertson highlighted recent background of "economic uncertainty, rising fuel prices and some disappointing summer weather, all of which have impacted on peoples’ desire to travel."
He said: "The challenge of operating in a strictly commercial environment within the terms of a fixed contract has been a major learning experience for a company which for the last 30 years or so has been firmly rooted in the public sector.
"It is a challenge which has been embraced by the company, but we are always mindful that a balance must be struck between our contractual obligations and the needs of fragile and remote communities, and the role of the managing director is pivotal in delivering these two, sometimes competing aspects, in addition to growing the company further to ensure success in future tender processes."
He added: "On the wider front, the David MacBrayne Group is ambitious in seeking new ways in which it can grow and provide ferry services for Scotland. We are building a great team to address this ambition.
"The "CalMac MD" will be a vital addition to that team, and I look forward to having a new colleague alongside us as we work to deliver our objectives."