Enterprise Gym runs first 'Supercoach' session

Mr John Milligan, former chairman and founder of Atlantic Power and Gas, recently energised young minds at the first 'Supercoach' session for members and partners of The Enterprise Gym, the University's new initiative to promote enterprise among its student community.

Mr Milligan, who started his working life as an apprentice fitter with the National Coal Board before going on to form his own highly-successful business, drew on his own life story and personal business experience to focus on challenge, inspiration and motivation in business and enterprise.

"We were absolutely delighted to have John as our very first `Supercoach'. He set an exceedingly high standard for our future speakers and will be a very difficult act to follow. John's experience gives us a rare first hand insight into what makes outstanding business people tick and this is absolutely invaluable for all our students," said Enterprise Gym Director, Ken Edward.

Professor Geoff Ward, Deputy Principal of the University, commented, "John's breadth and depth of knowledge and understanding of small and big business combined with his interest in business start-ups and the enterprise agenda in Scottish education made him an ideal person to deliver the inaugural 'Supercoach' session. We were privileged to have him come to speak to our students and partners of the Enterprise Gym."

Following a return to higher education, Mr Milligan became an engineer, and worked in a number of engineering posts until 1973, when he formed Strathclyde Process Engineering. In 1982 he formed Atlantic Power and Gas, remaining as its CEO/Chairman until 2000. Mr Milligan is also a non-executive Director of Aberdeen Development Capital, a former Chairman of Aberdeen Enterprise Trust and Chairman of Head Start Aberdeen.

Through his role as Chairman of the University of Dundee Court Mr Milligan continues to maintain his long standing interest in the education community, being formerly Chairman of the Board of Governors at Robert Gordon University, and a sponsor of an Industry / Education Partnership with Kincorth Academy.

The `Supercoach' sessions will be a regular feature of the EGym, bringing in business figures of national standing to pass on the benefits of their business experience to students.