ScottishPower’s Chief Corporate Officer Keith Anderson met and spoke with Sixth Year pupils at John Paul Academy in Summerston last week in Scotland’s first ‘Speakers for Schools’ event.

Founded by Robert Peston, the award-winning journalist and author, Speakers for Schools is a not-for-profit online network of voluntary speakers dedicated to giving back to schools through free and inspiring talks for students.

Keith Anderson was taking part in the first event to be held in Scotland, and he discussed his leadership experience, as well as talking about his background and the responsibilities he faces in his current roles as Chief Corporate Officer of ScottishPower, and CEO of ScottishPower Renewables.

Other prominent figures in Scotland from politics, business, arts and media have also agreed to take part in the programme, including Scottish Football Association chief executive Stewart Regan and STV chief executive Rob Woodward. John Paul Academy operates a ‘Leadership Max’ programme, which engages with pupils on themes such as entrepreneurship, creativity, leading change and moral influence.

Keith Anderson said: “I thoroughly enjoyed meeting and talking with the pupils of John Paul Academy, and I hope that the pupils found it to be a worthwhile experience. Being in the final year of secondary school, these young men and women are about to make some of the biggest decisions in their life, so I hope that chatting about my experiences was helpful in some way.

“I also hope that I have inspired one or two people to perhaps think about a career in energy. There are huge challenges in our sector in the coming years, and we will need a new generation of skilled workers who can help us meet these challenges.” Mr Vincent Docherty, Head Teacher of John Paul Academy, was delighted at the event which matched and enhanced the school's innovative Leadership and Leadership MAX courses designed by him and Mr Paul Kierney. Mr Docherty said, "I fully endorse the Speakers for Schools initiative and would heartily recommend school participation in this venture. Keith Anderson provided a truly inspirational presentation on leadership which pupils and staff greatly appreciated."

Speakers for Schools is administered by the Education and Employers Taskforce, an independent charity launched in October 2009. Its aim is to ensure that every school and college has an effective partnership with employers which provides young people with the inspiration, motivation, knowledge, skills and opportunities they need to help them achieve their potential and so secure our national prosperity.

Media Information: Paul Ferguson, 0141 614 4535