Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games - 100th member of staff appointed at Glasgow 2014

100th member of staff appointed at Glasgow 2014

Glasgow 2014 has hit the landmark 100th member of staff with the appointment of former Commonwealth, Olympic and World Championship swimmer Todd Cooper to the Organising Committee's Sport team as Sport Competition Cluster Manager.

Today's milestone appointment comes as Glasgow 2014 continues to ramp up its recruitment campaign to fill 1,044 posts across a wide variety of roles between now and the Games. The roles will range from venue specialists to sports technicians to commercial and sponsorship roles to more general IT, corporate and administration posts. Jobs will be posted on www.glasgow2014.com/jobs

With the major recruitment drive underway, Glasgow 2014 will exclusively use the services of Search Consultancy which will be vital to achieving the goal of recruiting 1,044 employees for Games-time.

With the support of Search, Glasgow 2014 will identify the most appropriate candidates with the experience and skillset required to stage a world class Games. The scale of the recruitment programme for Glasgow 2014 will not only create an economic boost for Scotland, but will ensure a lasting legacy through a workforce skilled in delivering major events for Scotland.

Todd, who joins from the national events agency EventScotland, made his Scottish swimming debut at the 2000 Commonwealth Youth Games in Edinburgh where he won silver and bronze in the 100m and 200m butterfly (respectively). He swam for Scotland at the 2002 and 2006 Commonwealth Games, winning a bronze in the 4x100m men's medley relay in 2006. He was part of Team GB at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games and again in Beijing 2008. Todd also competed as part of the British team at the 2003 World Championships and in the 2006 European Championships where he achieved a bronze in the men’s 4x100m medley relay.

The Stirling University graduate has also claimed 30 British University gold medals throughout his career. In his capacity as a former Commonwealth athlete he sits on Glasgow 2014's Athletes' Advisory Committee.

As part of the Sport team Todd is one of four Sport Competition Cluster Managers to have joined Glasgow 2014 in recent weeks. He joins Alison Lunn, Mark Mateer and Keith Joss, who will all be responsible for the planning and organisation of a group of sports and will contribute to their successful delivery at Games-time. Todd will direct his focus to his native sport of Aquatics as well as Squash, Table Tennis and Rugby Sevens.

David Grevemberg, Chief Executive of Glasgow 2014 said:

"This is an exciting milestone for Glasgow 2014 and demonstrates the pace and scale of our recruitment. Over the next two and a half years we will increase our staff numbers to 1,044 and create a strong team with the mix of experience and skills we require to stage an outstanding Games and have a legacy of skills in Glasgow and Scotland.

"We are delighted to welcome Todd, a former Olympic and Commonwealth athlete, as our 100th employee and we look forward to his contribution to the team and the Games at large. Todd's experience as an athlete at previous Games will complement our team as we plan to deliver an athlete centred and sport focused Games."

Todd Cooper, Glasgow 2014's new Sport Competition Cluster Manager and 100th staff member, said:

"As a former Commonwealth competitor, I am excited to have this opportunity to be at the heart of the preparations for the Games coming to Glasgow - and to be the Organising Committee's 100th employee is an added honour. I can't wait to get started in this role as part of the Sport team and play my part in creating a memorable Games for all of Scotland."

Chairman of Commonwealth Games Scotland, Michael Cavanagh said:

"We would like to congratulate Todd on his new appointment at Glasgow 2014. He will bring considerable insight and experience to the Organising Committee, both as a Commonwealth Games athlete and as a former administrator with Commonwealth Games Scotland. We look forward to working with him in the build up to the Games."

Minister for Commonwealth Games and Sport, Shona Robison, said:

“As well as bringing an international sporting spectacle to Scotland, hosting the Commonwealth Games is a tremendous opportunity to create a lasting legacy through the creation of new jobs and boosting our economy.

“I’m delighted to see the 100th member of staff in place and I congratulate Todd on his appointment. The skills and experience he brings with him will ensure he makes a significant contribution to a successful Commonwealth Games.

“With less than 1,000 days to go until the big event this latest milestone shows the Organising Committee is continuing to oversee the successful delivery of the Games which remain on time, on budget and on track to be a fantastic event for all of Scotland.”

Glasgow City Council Executive Member for the Commonwealth Games, Cllr Archie Graham said:

“The 100th member of staff is another milestone as we move towards the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games. The economic benefit and job opportunities that the Games will bring to the city is underlined by the fact that Glasgow 2014 will be employing 1,000 more people by the summer of 2014.”

Simone Lockhart, Managing Director of Search Consultancy in Scotland said:

"Since launching the recruitment drive, we’ve been overwhelmed by the level of interest in the Games roles and are delighted to have reached this important milestone. There is still a huge recruitment task ahead, however we're massively encouraged by the talent pool in Scotland and the calibre of applicants for the roles we've recruited so far. We're confident we've made a good start to sourcing an outstanding team to deliver an outstanding Games, and wish Todd every success in his new role."