The former chief executive of the Scottish National Investment Bank, Eilidh Mactaggart, has revealed that personal reasons led to her sudden departure at the end of February.
Responding to rumours that sprung up in the weeks since, in a short statement, she said the decision was “difficult to make, but ultimately it was made for personal reasons”.
Mactaggart went on to say that she was proud of what had been achieved so far, including ”launching a bank in the midst of a global pandemic while working remotely; setting its investment strategy; and, establishing its investment portfolio”.
She added: ”It was a privilege to be given the challenge of launching the Scottish National Investment Bank and being its inaugural chief executive and I wish the team I have built all the best for the future.
”I am considering a number of opportunities and looking forward to spending some more time with my young family in the meantime.”
Chief financial officer Sarah Roughead will act as chief executive with immediate effect, while the board initiates a process to find a new leader.
Since the change, both Finance Secretary Kate Forbes and First Minister Nicola Sturgeon have had to defend the decision from opposition politicians.
Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross claimed the timing was “suspicious”, suggesting that Mactaggart had been opposed to elements of the new National Strategy for Economy Transformation.
In February, Bill McGowan stepped down from his position as general counsel at the Scottish National Investment Bank to take up a senior role as head of legal at Covea Insurance. He resigned on the 25 November and worked his notice period.
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