Jade Gallagher

As Chief Operating Officer for the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, Jade Gallagher is central to the planning and operational delivery of Glasgow’s biggest event of the year. It’s a lot of responsibility – and Jade is up for the challenge.

“From the second I learned that the games were coming back to Glasgow, I knew I wanted to be involved,” Jade explains.

“I wanted to be at the driving seat as much as possible to make sure that we delivered a great Commonwealth Games for the athletes, attendees, and for the city of Glasgow – maximising the strength of the local supply chain and the event industry experts that already live and work in the city.”

It goes without saying that delivering this year’s Games is no small task. Jade tells us Glasgow 2026 is the most sustainable and inclusive Games yet, with over 3,000 athletes, nearly 4,000 volunteers and more than half a million spectators heading to venues around Glasgow from 23 July. All this to be delivered on an unprecedented timescale after Glasgow took over hosting duties from Australia in 2024.

“The Games in Glasgow isn't just about the athletes, it's about the people who live here, and the students who work and study here as well. It's important that a Games can bring opportunities to every industry, and every walk of life in the city.

“Part of this year’s model is that we tread lighter on the footprint, but we want to make sure we've got a big impact on the city in a really positive way.”

By her final year studying BA (Hons) in Events and Entertainment Management at GCU, Jade was already getting involved in the Glasgow events scene.

“I had the opportunity to do two student placements while I was at university. One of them saw me as a production coordinator for the Deli 2010 Commonwealth Games flag handover ceremony. It coincided with the theme of my dissertation as well, so it was the perfect blend of practical and learning experience.

“Studying alongside doing a student placement was just the best experience, learning the theory and principles behind planning and delivering major events alongside the practical application of those skills.

“I was also exposed to great networks and being able to have an insight into the potential of the career opportunities that exist within major events.

From those first student placements, Jade has racked up an impressive portfolio of events.

“I've had the opportunity to work on some of the biggest events that Glasgow has ever hosted, from London 2012, to COP26 and the UCI World Cycling Championships.

“The 2015 World Gymnastics Championships was a real favourite of mine. It was in the Hydro, and it was the first time a gymnastics event had ever been delivered in a sport entertainment venue.

“More recently, the World Cycling Championships in 2023 and the European Championships in 2018 - both of them set new blueprints and benchmarks for how major events could be delivered, and they were so crucial in informing the delivery model for Glasgow 2026.”

Through all that, the Commonwealth Games has been an ever-present theme in Jade’s career.

“My first ever experience at a major event was the Commonwealth Games in India, and India is the next host of the Commonwealth Games in 2030.

“It's so full circle for me in so many ways.”

As Jade prepares for her biggest event yet, she’s keen to emphasise the lessons that got her here: volunteer where you can, build your network and be yourself.

“My advice for anyone who wants to get into events is to volunteer as much as you can, whether that's a small or a major event.

“The power of a network is so important. Say yes to every opportunity and be kind and generous to everyone that you meet. It's such a small working world, so you never know what opportunity one conversation could bring for you three, four, ten years down the line.

“So nurture your network, and be authentically yourself. I think people get to where they get to for being themselves, and it’s really important that you as an individual are proud of your own achievements.”