Mr Healy joins from DM Hall, where he served as financial director, following an extensive recruitment process. His career spans property, legal, sport, and the arts, and he is perhaps best known for his time as finance director at Scottish Rugby, where he transformed the organisation’s financial infrastructure and supported major capital investment programmes. He has also held senior roles at the Law Society of Scotland and served as a non-executive director and trustee of the Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh.

Mr Healy said: “I am delighted to be joining the SEC and am very much looking forward to working with all the teams, the board and wider stakeholders – both internal and external – at these iconic international venues.

“As plans to enhance activities on the campus are developed and brought to life, it is a great time to be coming into this fantastic business and I am very excited to be starting later in the year.”

Alongside Mr Healy’s appointment, Dawn Lauder has been promoted to director of conference sales, succeeding Kathleen Warden, who steps down after 25 years with the SEC.

Ms Lauder joined the organisation in 2009 and has held a range of senior sales roles, including head of international sales and head of association sales. She was instrumental in securing landmark events such as COP26, which helped to cement Glasgow’s reputation as a destination for high-profile international conferences.

Mr Warden’s departure marks the end of a distinguished career at the SEC. During her tenure she played a central role in growing the conference business, securing events including the World Federation of Haemophilia Congress and the EAACI Congress, and championing sustainability initiatives that saw the SEC become the world’s first Healthy Venue and a founding member of the Net Zero Carbon Events movement.

She will remain connected to the organisation in a new advisory capacity.

Reflecting on her tenure, Ms Warden said: “Every day has been a privilege and an honour. I’ve made enduring friendships here in Glasgow and around the world, and I’m delighted to continue supporting the SEC in my new advisory role as the campus enters its next chapter.”

Ms Lauder added: “As a strong advocate for business events and having worked in the industry for 17 years, I’m delighted to be stepping into this role at such an exciting time for the SEC. I’m looking forward to working with our incredible sales team to continue securing world-class conferences for the SEC, Glasgow, and Scotland.”

Commenting on the appointments, SEC chief executive Dominic McKay said: “Dawn’s expertise and experience in the global conference sector make her the perfect leader to drive the next phase of growth for our conference business.

“Andrew brings a wealth of financial and strategic experience across multiple sectors, which will be invaluable as we continue to invest in the future of the campus and deliver on our long-term ambitions.

“Kathleen has had an incredible history with the SEC and it’s great that she can stay on and support our ambitions in a new advisory role. Her experience continues to be a huge asset to the business.”

The announcements follow a record-breaking 2025 for the SEC, during which the campus, comprising the SEC Centre, SEC Armadillo, and OVO Hydro, hosted 52 conferences, 55 exhibitions, and 269 live performances, welcoming more than 2.3 million visitors and generating considerable economic and social benefit for Glasgow and Scotland.