Aberdeen’s publicly funded leisure operator faces regulatory scrutiny after CEO’s unexplained absence and a series of director departures.
The Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) has initiated a formal inquiry into Sport Aberdeen, the publicly funded organisation responsible for managing leisure and sports facilities across Aberdeen. The investigation follows a period of considerable leadership instability and a recent exodus of board members.
Sport Aberdeen, established in 2010 as an arms-length external organisation (ALEO) of Aberdeen City Council, receives approximately £4 million in annual taxpayer funding and operates over 30 venues throughout the city.
The charity watchdog confirmed its inquiry after assessing concerns regarding the organisation’s operations. A spokesman for OSCR stated: “Following assessment of concerns received about Sport Aberdeen, we have opened an inquiry into the charity. In line with our published policies, we are unable to provide further comment at this time.”
According to a report by the P&J, this development comes after a turbulent six months for Sport Aberdeen. The upheaval began around October 2025 when Chief Executive Keith Heslop was declared “away from office” under unexplained circumstances. Sources suggest Mr Heslop was suspended, though no official reason has been provided for his prolonged absence. Graeme Dale currently serves as interim chief executive.
Adding to the instability, a “dramatic power shuffle” occurred at the end of October 2025 concerning the chairmanship. Tony Dawson, who had planned to retire, was initially replaced by trustee Stewart Macindoe. However, Mr Macindoe’s tenure was brief, lasting only three to four weeks, before Aberdeen City Council intervened to remove him and reinstate Mr Dawson as chairman.
The turmoil escalated in April 2026 with the resignation of four trustees: Stewart Macindoe, Mary Forbes, Kathleen Johnston, and Dean Phillips. These resignations are understood to be a protest against the treatment of Chief Executive Keith Heslop, with claims circulating that a case against him has been “trumped up”.
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The mass departure of directors prompted Aberdeen City Council to appoint two senior officials, Gale Beattie, Executive Director for City Regeneration, and Martin Murchie, Chief Data Insights Officer, to Sport Aberdeen’s board for an initial period of six months. This intervention was necessary to ensure the charity’s accounts could be signed off. Councillors reportedly discussed the matter in a private meeting.
Responding to the OSCR inquiry, Sport Aberdeen Chairman Tony Dawson affirmed the organisation’s commitment to cooperation. “We will co-operate fully with the Oscr inquiry,” he stated. “As this is an ongoing matter, it would not be appropriate to comment further at this time.” Previously, Mr Dawson had publicly expressed a different view on the charity’s governance, remarking, “I don’t understand why there should be any question of the governance of Sport Aberdeen.”
The ongoing inquiry by OSCR into Sport Aberdeen will scrutinise the charity’s administration amid a period marked by significant leadership challenges and questions surrounding internal governance.
