Forth Green Freeport appoints first CEO

FGF officially launched last month, committing to an ambitious green growth strategy that aims to reindustrialise Scotland, delivering economic benefits and net zero emissions for the country and local communities in Fife, Falkirk, Leith and beyond.

Ms Murray is a highly professional leader who brings to the role significant experience of working with multi-tier organisations (public and private sector), developing the skills and infrastructure that drive business forward. She also has significant experience in stakeholder engagement and collaborative success, which is seen as particularly important.

Ms Murray is currently Director of Local London, the sub-regional economic growth partnership for nine London boroughs, and was previously Head of Regulation at the City of London Corporation (2016-2021).

She worked in Brussels for 16 years in a variety of senior management roles, including Head of the East of England Brussels office, Lancashire Brussels office and Deputy Director of the Channel Islands Brussels office. Ms Murray was also Executive Director of the Thames Estuary Growth Board (2021-2023) and was recently named in the Net Zero 50 list for 2024.

He will assume his new role as CEO on August 27, 2024.

Welcoming Ms Murray to the role, Dame Susan Rice DBE, Chair of Forth Green Freeport, said: “The position of CEO of Forth Green Freeport is fundamental to our success. We conducted a robust recruitment process to ensure we had the right person for the role and we are delighted to have appointed Sarah.

“She brings with her a range of attributes and professional experience that are essential to the role of CEO of Forth Green Freeport and we look forward to working with her to deliver this exciting, long-term programme for Scotland.”

Ms Murray said: “This is an exciting opportunity for me personally and for Scotland to deliver significant economic and environmental benefits, both nationally and for local communities.

“Throughout my career, I have gained extensive experience working with multi-layered partnerships and understand the importance of good, transparent stakeholder engagement.

“I look forward to starting work in August and building on the excellent start the consortium has already made.”

With a focus on key target sectors including offshore wind, hydrogen, sustainable fuels, modular manufacturing and logistics, the FGF will support the reindustrialisation and large-scale economic regeneration of central Scotland over the next decade. The consortium is currently developing its final business plan, which will be submitted to the Scottish and UK Governments by the end of the summer.