Our Chief Executive Susan Deighan is retiring

To view a short message from Susan, click here: https://vimeo.com/1044742005

Dear colleagues

I want to let you know I have decided to retire as Chief Executive of Glasgow Life.

I am enormously proud of having helped to establish one of Scotland's largest and most important charities in 2007 and it has been an incredible privilege to lead our organisation over the past three years. My final day with Glasgow Life will be Friday 27 June. 
                                          
When I was appointed to the role in April 2022, I identified three key goals: demonstrating the impact of culture and sport, stabilising our finances, and ensuring Glasgow Life had a sustainable future.

None of this would be possible without the energy and commitment you bring to Glasgow Life every day. And so, I want to thank every one of you for the work you have done, and are continuing to do, to make this happen. Thank you for your passion, your innovation, and your resilience.  

My time as Chief Executive has shown, more than ever, the significance of our social and economic contribution to Glasgow. 

Over the last three years we have developed innovative city-wide strategies for Libraries, Tourism, Culture, and Events, and we will be launching a new Physical Activity and Sport strategy later this year. We are also in the process of developing a new Community Learning Plan with our city partners. 
 
Glasgow's reputation as a world-class events destination continues to grow, with highlights including the first-ever UCI Cycling World Championships and Banksy's Cut and Run exhibition in 2023, and the 2024 World Athletics Indoor Championships, each of which boosted the city's economy. 

The Burrell Collection received the prestigious 2023 Art Fund Museum of the Year award and the 2024 RIAS Andrew Doolan Award, further demonstrating Glasgow's cultural vibrancy.

At the same time, the ongoing demand for Glasgow Life's services, programmes and experiences has been as strong as ever. Visits to our libraries and museums grew to nearly 8m in 2024, while our Glasgow Club network recorded 4.7m attendances, a record increase of 18% on the previous year.

We have also made a real difference in our communities, delivering successful programmes tackling health inequality, digital exclusion and social isolation. As a result, our unique Live Well Community Referral initiative, designed to help people engage with cultural, physical activity and learning opportunities in their neighbourhoods, was awarded £1 million by Glasgow City Council to expand across the city by summer 2026. 

All of which is to say that we have made great strides in helping more people to lead richer, healthier and happier lives, and positioning Glasgow Life as a force for good. 

Establishing a financially sustainable long-term future has been fundamental to my role as Chief Executive. I am particularly proud of the work that has gone into stabilising our finances during a period of global and local financial pressures, and that our participation and income continue to grow.

Looking to the future, work is continuing apace on our ambitious plans for the £35.9m refurbishment and redisplay of the People's Palace and Winter Gardens. The majority of the project funding has been secured, which will revitalise this iconic and much-loved cultural asset in the coming years.

Reflecting on my time with Glasgow Life, I am deeply grateful for your support in helping us enrich the lives of millions. We also could not achieve the breadth of what we do without the support of our talented volunteers, Glasgow City Council and the generosity of our many partners, funders and donors.

Time and again we have shown that when ambitions align, when partnerships are built on trust, and when shared values enshrine inclusiveness and equality, then Glasgow truly thrives.

My decision will be made public later this morning and a recruitment process will begin shortly. I know that when a new Chief Executive is appointed they will be keen to continue to work with you to build an even better future for our city and charity.
 
Thank you.

Susan

Susan Deighan
Chief Executive