Lord Smith New Gateway Chair

Glasgow 2014 chairman Lord Smith of Kelvin has said he will continue to deliver the Games legacy as head of a major regeneration project.

Lord Smith, who led the body tasked with securing post-referendum powers for the Scottish Parliament, has been appointed chairman of Clyde Gateway.

The partnership was established in 2007 to deliver a regeneration programme for Glasgow's east end.

Lord Smith said: The 2014 Commonwealth Games came with a promise that the event would be a springboard for a continued and sustainable transformation of the east end, one which would go on for many years after the athletes and officials had returned home, and Clyde Gateway is at the forefront of ensuring this happens.

I have long been impressed with the vision and ambition being shown by Clyde Gateway and by the fantastic partnership work involving the two councils, Scottish Enterprise, the Scottish Government and the wide and diverse range of community groups. However, there is still a big task ahead over the next decade and beyond.

No-one should think that just because things have moved on from the Games that the efforts to bring about the change and transformation are going to slow down. The next Commonwealth Games are a little more than three years away in Australia at which time many people will look back and ask what exactly has been the Legacy for Glasgow - I intend to ensure that, when they look at the Clyde Gateway communities, they will see it has been every bit as world-class as the Games were themselves.''

Lord Smith, who will take up the unpaid role next month, said the first residents are in the process of moving into the 700 new homes built as part of the Games Village and Police Scotland have begun relocating 1,100 staff into new offices in Dalmarnock.

Clyde Gateway chief executive Ian Manson said: The role of our independent chair is vitally important. It requires someone who has the experience of the public and private sectors together with an understanding of how they have to work in tandem with the wishes of local residents and business owners.

Lord Smith is a perfect fit for us at this time, some seven years along a journey that is going to take two decades to complete. He not only has all that we are looking for but he brings the addition of his much-stated desire to ensure the continued building of a Games Legacy.

I would also like to take the opportunity to pay tribute to Neil MacDonald, our outgoing chair, who has been part of the fabric of Clyde Gateway for the past seven years.'' The Clyde Gateway board includes members from Glasgow City Council, South Lanarkshire Council and Scottish Enterprise.