thirty-one ... fifty

Sunday Herald, The, Aug 25, 2002

Don Cruickshank Chairman, London Stock Exchange and SMG Age: 59Education: St Michael's, Kilwinning; Aberdeen University A significant business presence in London, with the ear of Whitehall as former telecoms regulator and chairman of the government-appointed banking review. His bid to merge the London bourse with Frankfurt fell apart, but he retains a central position in City finance.

He is non-executive chairman of SMG, owner of the Sunday Herald, a major Scots-based media company with a portfolio including Virgin Radio and the Scottish and Grampian television franchises.

Kirsty Wark Broadcaster and independent programme-maker Age: 47 Education: Wellington School, Ayr; Edinburgh University Alongside Jeremy Paxman, she is the face of BBC's Newsnight, as well as fronting some of the many programmes, mainly dealing with architecture and the arts, produced with her husband Alan Clements by their company, Wark Clements, the big noise in the Scottish indie sector. She mixes her tough inquisitions with equally rigorous networking, her Glasgow West End kitchen being one of the city's busiest salons. Donald Dewar picked her for the tiny group that was responsible for choosing the architect to design the Scottish Parliament at Holyrood.

Professor Alice Brown Public services ombudsman Age: 55 Education: Boroughmuir High; Edinburgh University Though a late starter in higher education, Brown rose swiftly to become vice-principal at Edinburgh University.

As one of the country's leading political academics, she was highly influential in the Constitutional Convention, the push for equal numbers of women MSPs, in the group which sets out the way Parliament works, and as an adviser to First Ministers.

As the first public services ombudsman, she sets the tone in the area of citizens' rights for users of parliament, health services, local government, quangos and housing associations.

Ian Ritchie Technology entrepreneur Age: 52 Education: West Calder; Heriot-Watt University A serial entrepreneur and "the Harry Potter of Scottish computers", having pioneered hypertext, Ritchie is quiet, well-connected and on the board of various companies including chairing Voxar, Active Navigation and was a founder of Digital Bridges. Not household names, but at the cutting edge of the hoped- for economic recovery. A keen astronomer, he has written widely on new media publishing and is also a board member of Scottish Enterprise and Channel 4 TV.

Professor Sir David Lane Cancer researcher Age: 50 Education: John Fisher School, Purley; University College, LondonA world leader in cancer research and one of the world's 10 most cited scientists. A leading light in and cheerleader for Dundee University's internationally-significant bio-research boom, along with Sir Alfred Cuschieri and Professor Roland Wolf.

Founded spin-out company, Cyclacel, where he directs science, and mentor to others who wish to follow on the university research spin- out route which is crucial to Scotland's economic hopes.

John Swinney

SNP leader Age: 38 education: Forrester High, Edinburgh; Edinburgh University Joined the SNP at 15, fired up by the unfairness of the BBC's Commonwealth Games coverage. Was the party's national secretary by the age of 21; mentored to North Tayside MP and MSP seats by Alex Salmond; party leader by the age of 36.

His decisions, more than anyone's, are shaping the political debate in Scotland, making caution and careful preparation the party's watchwords and trying to make independence safe for the voters. Next year's elections will be a tough challenge. But First Minister in 2007?

James Boyle Chairman, Scottish Arts Council Age: 56 Education: Holyrood Secondary, Glasgow, Strathclyde University

BOYLE shaped BBC Radio Scotland during the early 1990s and went south to stir up the old conventions at Radio Four.

He then returned north, had a column in the Sunday Herald and became the key figure in shaping The Scottish Arts Council's funding strategy.

Under political pressure to move away from "elite" arts, his biggest challenges have been in shaping the future for national ballet and opera companies.

He has also been under pressure for a national theatre.

Boyle is very hands-on in his chairmanship.

Peter Cox Daily Record editor Age: 52 Education: Ilford County High; Nottingham University Abrasive editor of Scotland's biggest- selling newspaper.

The last two years have seen him calm the tabloid from the days of an even more abrasive predecessor, though circulation continues to slide towards its rival, the Scottish Sun.

His position means he is courted by Labour politicians, particularly Gordon Brown, as the party's lead media attack dog, though they fear it too, for its record of unpredictably turning on ministers.

Cox has raised pressure on the Executive to tackle drug dealers and loan sharks.

Brian Stewart Chairman, Scottish & Newcastle Age: 57 Education: Perth Academy; Edinburgh University Less high-profile than the heads of the big financial institutions, and based at a secluded headquarters, Stewart has fashioned a seriously global multinational player out of the brewer at a time of rapid international consolidation. The Edinburgh-based firm now rivals Anheuser-Busch, Interbrew and Heineken. With brands including Scottish Courage, John Smith and McEwan's, big acquisitions have secured him the vast Kronenbourg, Russia's No 1 brewer and Belgium's No 2. Now targeting Germany.