Adrian Gillespie

As Chief Executive of Scottish Enterprise, Scotland’s national economic development agency, Adrian is responsible for leading a global workforce to create a more productive, resilient and competitive economy for Scotland.
To achieve this, Scottish Enterprise helps drive business innovation, build international competitiveness and encourages more investment in companies and infrastructure.
Previously, Adrian was The University of Strathclyde’s first Chief Commercial Officer and member of its Executive Team.
He oversaw growth of the University’s extensive industry facing activities, centres and relationships as well as the development of innovative, place-based economic development projects including the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland and the Glasgow City Innovation District.
Before joining Strathclyde, Adrian spent sixteen years at Scottish Enterprise, where he was a member of the Executive Leadership team and Managing Director of Operations.
He led Scottish Enterprise’s business support through account management of high growth companies, entrepreneurship development and high growth start-up support, R&D and innovation support, and the business infrastructure division.
He also held various roles in areas such as the creative industries, digital media and enabling technologies, and energy and low carbon technologies.
During the 1990s, he held various commercial and financial management positions within Marks and Spencer plc.
Adrian has a Bachelor of Accountancy degree from the University of Glasgow, and an MBA with Distinction from the University of Strathclyde.
He is a former trustee of Glasgow Science Centre, the Glasgow Science Centre Endowment Fund, and a former Board member of Opportunity North East (ONE).