The announcement sees SSE become the second Glasgow 2014 Tier One Partner after luxury Swiss watch brand Longines was named as the first in a deal last month.

SSE, Scotland's largest company, supplies electricity and gas to more than 9.5 million household and business accounts under brands such as SSE, Scottish Hydro, Southern Electric, SWALEC and Airtricity.

Although Lord Smith is the chairman of both Glasgow 2014 (pictured below) and SSE he took the opportunity to praise David Grevemberg and Ian Marchant, the respective chief executives of the two organisations, for making the deal happen.

"I am very pleased that the Glasgow 2014 and SSE teams have reached this agreement," he said.

"David and Ian have made it clear that both organisations see a real opportunity to build a strong, mutually beneficial partnership between Glasgow 2014 and SSE over the next two years, culminating with the Games themselves, and this is positive news for both organisations."


The deal is also a major boost for Grevemberg given that it comes so quickly after he spearheaded the Tier One agreement with Longines.

"Glasgow 2014 is excited to be working in partnership with such a highly regarded energy company, headquartered in Scotland and with a presence in every community of the United Kingdom," said Grevemberg.

"We look forward to collaborating with SSE, its customers and staff throughout the UK in developing exciting engagement and activation opportunities that bring our partnership to life and offer the experience of the Commonwealth Games to as many people as possible."

Marchant added: "We're proud to be associated with the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.

"SSE has customers and employees in Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and we are really looking forward to helping make these Games come alive for them and their communities.

"We're already involved in sport in local communities through sponsorships of shinty, golf, cricket, football, sailing and rugby so we're excited about the possibilities that lie ahead between SSE and the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games."

As well as having SSE and Longines as Official Partners – the highest rank within the Organising Committee's commercial programme – Glasgow 2014 has already signed up four Official Supporters in Ernst & Young, Harper Macleod, Search Consultancy and Atos.

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