Jim Aitken MBE

2022 Inductee

Director of Sport 2021 to 2023

Jim Aitken MBE has been the driving force behind sport at the University of Edinburgh for more than 20 years. He has been a powerful champion for the benefits of sport and active health and the ways it can change lives and make the world a better place.

A former international hockey player, Jim joined the University from sportscotland in 1995, initially as Assistant Director of Sport & Exercise. He was appointed to the post of Director in 2001 becoming the sixth person to hold the position since the University formed its ‘department of physical education’ in 1929.

Throughout his tenure, Jim’s vision, drive and leadership have energised generations of students and staff to achieve success at local, national and international level. He was elected the first Chair of Scottish University Sport (SUS), setting the foundations for Scottish Student Sport (SSS) as well as playing a similar role in the creation British University College Sport (BUCS).

In 2010 his services to student sport were recognised with an MBE in the Queen’s birthday honours, adding to other prestigious accolades he has received for outstanding contribution to HE Sport in the UK, which includes the AD Munrow Award (2008) and Bernie Ryder Prize (2006).

Jim’s commitment to creating inspiring facilities, wide-ranging and inclusive programmes, pioneering services, delivering and hosting world-class events, collaborative partnerships, and student and staff development have resulted in sector-leading levels of physical activity, sporting participation, performance, and organisational culture.

Edinburgh now consistently finishes in the top four in the BUCS year end rankings. Sport & Exercise was also recognised as the UK’s top Facility Provider (Education) at the 2019 National Fitness Awards and was the UK’s first University department to achieve Investors in People’s top level Platinum accreditation.

The University is now respected among the country’s top destinations for talented student athletes seeking to combine their sporting ambitions along-side a world class degree education. Countless numbers of students have benefitted, including Olympic champions Dame Katherine Grainger and Sir Chris Hoy.

Jim retired from the University in 2023 and there is no more fitting an accolade to mark his transformational contribution to University sport than with induction into the Sports Hall of Fame.

• Champion of student sport
• An inspirational leader