The announcement was made at an event at the National Stadium in Glasgow today.

Councillor Purcell said: "Robert is a dynamic business leader and a great asset for the team which will deliver the Commonwealth Games in 2014.

"A great Glaswegian, he helped to raise millions for Kelvingrove and our new Riverside Museum on the banks of the Clyde. Robert has undoubtedly made his mark on the national and international business stage and has enjoyed an unrivalled track record of success.

"When we were bidding to host the Games we made a number of pledges, not just to the people of Glasgow, but to the people of Scotland and the people of the Commonwealth.

"We said these would be the best Games ever, they would be the most athlete-centred Games ever, and that they would be the most environmentally-friendly Games ever, and that they would be delivered on budget.

"I can't think of anyone more qualified to help us do all of those things than Sir Robert Smith.
"He is one of Scotland's leading entrepreneurial industrialists, and his record in business and banking gives us someone that we can be very proud of."

Sir Robert is chairman of the Weir Group plc and of Scottish and Southern Energy. He was formerly chief executive of Morgan Grenfell Asset Management and was BBC National Governor for Scotland for five years until 2004.