CalMac boss steps down amid shake-up at ferry firm

Mr Drummond had been CalMac's chief executive for six years

Robbie Drummond has stepped down as chief executive of west coast ferry operator CalMac.

The publicly-owned company said the move had followed a review of its executive leadership as it faces "challenging years ahead".

CalMac has experienced years of problems caused by breakdowns affecting vessels in its ageing fleet, and delays to new ferries commissioned by the ferries agency CMAL.

Mr Drummond, 54, has held the top job at CalMac for six years.

His resignation comes the week after the chief executive of Ferguson Marine, the company building the two delayed ferries for CalMac, was sacked.

Duncan Mackison has been named as CalMac's interim chief executive.

The ex-Royal Marine is a former chief executive of the CalMac Holding Company, David MacBrayne Ltd.

CalMac said island communities had faced "real challenges" around their ferry services.

"These challenges are likely set to continue until new vessels are introduced to the fleet over the coming years," it said.

"In this context, the board wants to strengthen the focus further on operational performance of an aging fleet, resilience and enhanced dialogue and responsiveness with the customers and the communities CalMac serves."

It added: "As a consequence, the board has reviewed the executive leadership of the organisation to ensure that it is best placed to achieve that during some challenging years ahead.

"As part of that review, current CEO Robbie Drummond is stepping down with immediate effect."

Mr Drummond had worked in a number of senior finance roles before joining CalMac's board.

He is also chairman of Stramash, a social enterprise that runs children's outdoor nurseries.

CalMac is the UK's largest ferry operator, running 29 routes to more than 50 destinations on Scotland's west coast.

But in recent years breakdowns and overrunning annual maintenance affecting its fleet has caused major disruption.

Ferries have had to be taken off some routes to cover services.

Last June, hundreds of people held a protest on South Uist following CalMac's decision to cancel most ferry sailings to Mallaig.

Two new ferries being constructed for CalMac at Ferguson Marine on the Clyde are six years late and will cost almost four times the original price of £97m.

The contract of the company's chief executive, David Tydeman, was terminated last week.

Sally Campbell, of the Arran Ferry Action Group, said Mr Drummond had been made a scapegoat for the problems affecting CalMac.

She told BBC Radio Scotland's Lunchtime Live programme: "I am quite sad because I think CalMac has been dealt a poor hand over the years.

"The staff on the frontline, and Robbie Drummond, have done as well as they can."

Western Isles Council's transport chairman Uisdean Robertson said the departure of Mr Drummond and last week's sacking of Fergus Marine chief executive David Tydeman had created uncertainty over the running of west coast services.

Mr Robertson said: "We'd heard rumours for some time there was going to be some change to the structure of CalMac, but it came as a surprise that it happened so quickly."

'Utter chaos'

Scottish Conservative transport spokesman Graham Simpson said Mr Drummond had been made a "scapegoat" and called on the wellbeing economy secretary to provide answers.

He said: "Mairi McAllan - as the SNP minister responsible - is presiding over utter chaos in Scotland's ferry network.

"Not a single ministerial resignation has been offered over this scandal, yet now the head of both CalMac and Ferguson Marine have been fired in the space of two weeks.

"The minister needs to urgently explain - not least to betrayed islanders - what is going on here and why she believes sacking CalMac's top boss is a good idea."

Scottish Labour transport spokesman Alex Rowley said: "The chaos on CalMac services is a direct result of the SNP's woeful mismanagement of Scotland's ferry fleet.

"No matter who is in the top job in CalMac, islanders will continue to be let down until the SNP government starts delivering the ferries we need."

And Liberal Democrat MSP Willie Rennie said: "Another week, another resignation - but still no SNP minister is carrying the can for the ferry chaos."

Last week, Ms McAllan answered MSPs' questions about the situation at Ferguson Marine but Mr Drummond's position was not discussed.

The Scottish government said there were regular discussions with the chair of CalMac's board about the company's performance.

A spokesman said: "We thank Robbie Drummond for his contribution to CalMac and wish him well for the future.

"Decisions relating to the chief executive are for the chair to make, in consultation with the board.

"We welcome the chair's decision to appoint an interim CEO immediately and his intention to recruit a permanent managing director who can take the business forward in the best interests of the communities that rely on it, and in a way that maximises the benefits of the significant investment we continue to make in ferry services."