This week has been a watershed for The HALO with the retirement from the board of our Chairman, Colin Liddell O.B.E.

Saying farewell to our Chairman is significant enough in its own right, but Colin has been much, much more than that. An inspiration; a communicator without equal; a mentor; and a friend.

Colin and I first met eight years ago through the “Make it in Kilmarnock” initiative set up by Diageo and East Ayrshire Council in the aftermath of the decision to close the Johnnie Walker bottling plant in the town. His determination to see something good come out of what seemed at the time to be a catastrophe has been relentless, and his knowledge, energy, enthusiasm and passion have been a formidable driving force behind The HALO Kilmarnock. Quite simply, we wouldn’t be where we are today were it not for Colin’s support, which has been immeasurable.

Both personally, and on behalf of The HALO board, I want to say the biggest “thank you” that Kilmarnock and Scotland have ever seen to Colin Liddell – we’ll see you at the The HALO opening party.

Marie Macklin C.B.E.