A Renfrewshire-raised business executive has been awarded an honorary doctorate in recognition of his contribution to athletics.
St Mirren director Ian Beattie MBE received the honour from Glasgow Caledonian University during a ceremony at Glasgow’s Royal Concert Hall on Wednesday, 1st July.
The honorary doctorate recognises Ian’s achievements in athletics and his work promoting the positive role sport can play in improving people’s health and wellbeing.
Ian, who grew up in Kilbarchan and attended high school in Paisley, said: “To be able to contribute to a sport that I love is an honour and it’s lovely to be recognised in this way.”
As well as being Chief Operating Officer of Lindsays, he is chair of UK Athletics and has been a volunteer director of St Mirren Football Club since 2025.
He is also a former long-serving chair of scottishathletics and vice-chair of both sportscotland and SAMH. He has previously been race director of the West Highland Way Race and is an endurance runner and athletics coach.
Speaking after the ceremony, Ian said: “These sorts of things come out of the blue and are just a nice surprise. I am really grateful to Glasgow Caledonian University for this.
“What’s really nice about this is that it’s not just about the higher profile roles I have had, but my involvement in the grassroots side, including coaching endurance groups and being involved in a number of clubs and committees. To have someone recognise the range of that means a lot.”
Ian was awarded an MBE in 2020 for his services to athletics.
In his role at Lindsays, he is responsible for the firm’s financial and operational performance. Last week, the firm announced it would expand its Glasgow presence through a merger with Dallas McMillan, which has a strong client base across Renfrewshire. The merger takes effect on 1st September and will increase the size of Lindsays’ Glasgow team from 80 to 123 people.
Ian said he draws on his business experience in his sporting roles.
He said: “So much is about strong relationships. I’ve always been a big believer in that.
“At Lindsays we have strong teams who work together. I encourage that in sport too. It’s about getting really good people and giving them an environment where they can flourish, enjoy work, do their best and give them the chance to develop.”
Nina Taylor, chair of Lindsays, said: “Everyone at the firm is delighted for Ian and this well-deserved recognition. As a business, we encourage our team to support their communities and causes close to their hearts. Ian really leads by example on that.”
Headline Photo: Ian Beattie MBE receives his honorary doctorate from Glasgow Caledonian University
Photo Credit: Jamie Simpson / Lindsays
Photo: Pictured, from left: Eilidh Doyle, Ian Beattie, Denise Lewis and Jack Buckner at the Lindsays Sports Forum in Glasgow
Photo Credit: Jamie Simpson / Lindsays