David Hope-Jones standing down as SMP CEO

David’s last day will be late January, from which point Stuart Brown (Deputy CEO) will become the Interim CEO of the SMP, at the request of the Board.

David is leaving to take up the position of CEO of the South of Scotland Destination Alliance (SSDA), supporting, representing and promoting tourism in the South of Scotland. A recruitment process has begun to identify a successor to David as SMP CEO.

David said:

“It has been the greatest pleasure, and privilege, of my professional life to work for the Scotland Malawi Partnership for the last fourteen and a half years. It has been wonderful to grow professionally within this role, as the SMP has itself grown and developed, and to see the countless inspiring stories which lie behind our members’ work.

I am immensely grateful for all the support, friendship and solidarity I have enjoyed over this time from so many across the SMP family. The Partnership is the most amazing community of brilliant, kind and like-minded people: a network of Scots and Malawians brought together through bonds of friendship and the belief that, together, we can make a better world.

It is time for me to move on, and I have no doubt that the SMP’s next CEO will lead the network into a hugely exciting next chapter; bringing fresh energy, ideas and vision. There are fantastic new opportunities in the bilateral relationship opening up and, every day, inspiring new leaders are becoming involved. I have absolutely no doubt that things will continue to grow in exciting new directions, and I look forward to watching as a friend and life-long supporter.

After so long, it is undoubtedly difficult, and sad, to say goodbye to a job I have loved so much. It is made easier by the fact that I’m lucky enough to be passing the reigns to Stuart Brown as Interim CEO. Stuart knows every inch of the SMP, and our members, and is a brilliant leader. The SMP will not miss a beat as I pass over to Stuart in January, and I have no doubt that he will continue to steer the organisation most capably, as he has, with me, for the last five years.

I want to say a very big thank you to everyone I have worked with over this last chapter, especially to the Scottish Government: without the far-sighted vision, commitment and core funding of successive Scottish Ministers, Scotland’s friendship with Malawi would be immeasurably poorer.

The SMP will always be in my heart, and I wish all involved every success and happiness. I look forward to seeing members to say goodbye at our forthcoming Annual Gathering."