Patrick Macdonald

Patrick was appointed as chair of the IoD in March 2021, bringing his wealth of knowledge from 35 years in business. He started his professional career at the Ministry of Defence before working for Unilever and Boston Consulting Group (BCG). Patrick then joined General Electric (GE) in the USA before returning to the UK and becoming CEO of John Menzies plc, a large quoted, logistics company. He has subsequently led a number of private equity-sponsored businesses, including waste management firm Reconomy. As well as chairing the School for CEOs, he is chair of call answering service Moneypenny and facilities management business Arcus FM. He is also director of NatureSpace Partnership, an environmental consultancy, and an angel investor in a number of start-up companies.

Patrick holds a first class Honours degree in Engineering Science from Oxford University and an MBA with Distinction from INSEAD in France. He is a Chartered Engineer, a Chartered Manager, a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and a Companion of the Chartered Management Institute. He is also a Sainsbury Management fellow.

Patrick is the vice chair of the Scottish Advisory Committee of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE). He enjoys a number of pastimes, usually with his family, including watersports (rowing, sailing and canoeing), running, hillwalking and ‘extreme’ gardening – his description of horticulture in Edinburgh!