Glasgow Life’s Director of Libraries, Sport and Communities, Andrew Olney, to retire in October
Our Director of Libraries, Sport and Communities, Andrew Olney, is set to retire after more than 20 years of working on behalf of communities in Glasgow. Andrew's last day with Glasgow Life will be Friday 17 October.
Andrew has been an invaluable member of Glasgow Life’s senior management and leadership teams for more than a decade. Having joined Glasgow City Council in 2003 as an Area Service Manager in the Council’s Sports team, Andrew transferred to Glasgow Life when our charity was created in 2007. He was promoted to Head of Communities and Libraries in 2014 before being appointed Director of Libraries, Sport and Communities in 2024.
Andrew has been instrumental in many of Glasgow Life’s major projects, including the development of the first Vision for Glasgow Libraries in 2015 and its subsequent refresh in 2022, as well as the creation of Active Glasgow: the city’s new 10-year Physical Activity and Sport Strategy to 2035, which we launched last month.
He has been Chair of Glasgow’s multi-agency Community Learning and Development Strategic Partnership, overseeing the creation and launch of two iterations of the city’s important Community Learning and Development (CLD) Plan, from 2021-24 and 2024-27.
Previously, he was also Chair of the Association of Public Libraries in Scotland (APLS) and a board member of the Scottish Libraries Information Council (SLIC).
Andrew’s incredible contribution to Glasgow Life has benefited many people and communities both in Glasgow and across Scotland.
Under his leadership, Glasgow Life has invested significantly in refurbishing and modernising libraries and sports facilities across the city, with more than nine million attendances to our libraries and sports facilities in 2024/25.
Andrew also led the development of our unique Live Well Community Referral programme, which secured £1m from the Council to help more people access cultural, physical activity and learning opportunities in their communities and is on track to expand citywide by next summer.
Reflecting on his time with Glasgow Life, Andrew said: “It has been an enormous privilege to serve a city I care so deeply about for more than 20 years, working alongside exceptionally talented colleagues and partners whose commitment and creativity has not only inspired me every day, but has shaped some of Glasgow’s most important and valued public services.
“I want to thank my incredible teams and I shall leave with immense pride in all we have achieved together while forever remaining a champion of Glasgow Life and the transformational power of culture, sport, and learning.”
Kay Morrison, Chief Executive of Glasgow Life, said: “I want to thank Andrew for his exceptional contribution to our charity and to the people of Glasgow. He has been instrumental in leading and developing services and programmes that have had a lasting impact on the lives of Glaswegians and visitors to our city – from ensuring access to libraries and learning, to supporting active lifestyles and strengthening community engagement and resilience.
“His leadership and dedication have helped create a more inclusive and connected Glasgow. On behalf of everyone at Glasgow Life, I wish him every happiness and a long and fulfilling retirement.”
Our search for a new Director of Libraries, Sport and Communities will begin soon. Candidates interested in applying for the role should contact Glasgow Life’s Head of HR, Stephanie Colgan, at stephanie.colgan@glasgowlife.org.uk for more information.