Marc is 63 years young and started his working life in the tourism, leisure, and hospitality industry at the age of 17. He has held a variety of front-line senior management and executive positions across different sectors of the industry in various parts of the globe. This includes time spent in the US, Sweden, France, Spain, Switzerland, South Africa, The Channel Islands, England, the Highlands of Scotland and in his home city of Glasgow where he has been settled with his family for the past 25+ years.
In May 2012 Marc was appointed as the first CEO of The Scottish Tourism Alliance (STA), which is acknowledged as the overarching trade body for the tourism and hospitality sector. His wealth of first-hand experience and knowledge of working in many sectors of the industry ensures that his representation to politicians and others is both an accurate reflection of how a business operates.
Post Covid Marc was appointed to co-chair the reformed Tourism and Hospitality Industry Leadership Group, which acts as the strategic guardian of Scotland Outlook 2030. He is a very well-respected influencer, spending much of his time engaging directly with senior ministers in both Scottish & UK governments making representation on behalf of the industry.
He is also a board member of Apprenticeship in Hospitality Scotland, and a member of Scotland’s Railway stakeholder panel.
In 2020 Marc was awarded the “Fellowship” by the Scottish Hotel industry for his outstanding contribution to the industry, and in June 2022 he was awarded an MBE in the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Birthday Honours for services to the Tourism Industry in Scotland. In October 2023, he received the Industry Contribution award at the 2023 Hotels of the Year Awards and in 2025 he was recognised by the Institute of Directors with a Lifetime Achievement award for his services to the tourism hospitality leisure and events industry.
What do you think are the greatest opportunities for the Scottish tourism, retail and hospitality industries in 2027?
There are just so many! Aside from the obvious ones in Hospitality General Managers Chefs Waiting staff, House keepers and Bar tenders, as it is only through people that we can deliver true hospitality there will also be the need for those with digital marketing skills especially AI to promote what’s on offer – The sector needs and is ready to embrace the next generation of entrepreneurs, innovators, those who aspire to create and deliver the very best experiences for all to enjoy.
What are you looking most forward to seeing, meeting, or attending at ScotHot?
The 1000’s of industry colleagues, owners, operators, suppliers, coming together to share stories and learn, showcase their products, not forgetting the very best of Scotland’s chefs battling it out for the coveted prize of Scottish Chef of the Year. The Scottish Tourism Alliance Signature Conference, Business Breakfast and the STA Spotlight Stage which will once again host a wide-ranging programme of interesting speakers.
Why do you think events like ScotHot are important to the industry?
Events and show’s like ScotHot are important to the industry because they provide easy access and a reason for the industry to come together, in a time and cost-effective way to learn, network, do business and celebrate. They also deliver positive economic impact for the venues and destinations they are held in.
