Marie Macklin

Mary Stewart Macklin (born 20 October 1965) is a Scottish businesswoman, entrepreneur and property developer, who is founder and executive chair of The HALO Urban Regeneration. Macklin was previously the CEO of The KLIN Group from 2004 until 2014

Career The KLIN Group

Macklin purchased The KLIN Group in 2004 and has undergone extensive renovation work to provide additional office space for various companies within Kilmarnock, as well as housing space for rent or lease. Barclay House is home to a locomotive train, Drake, that was built by Andrew Barclay in the early 1940s for the war effort during World War II.

Macklin sold the KLIN Group in 2015 and it continues to trade.

HALO Urban Regeneration

Following the announcement in 2009 by drinks company Diageo of their intention to close the Johnnie Walker bottling plant and production factory at Hill Street in Kilmarnock, Macklin joined a large protest of 20,000 people through the streets of Kilmarnock in an attempt to persuade Diageo to reverse their decisions. Following unsuccessful attempts, Diageo remained with their decision for closure, leading Macklin to enter negotiations with Diageo to look at options for sale of the site and long-term plans for the future use of the site. Diageo eventually sold the land to HALO Group for £1, which led Macklin to create a £100 million regeneration proposal, The HALO Urban Regeneration. Macklin's proposal for the former Johnnie Walker site included an urban regeneration hub, as well as providing office space and opportunities for startup companies, and since, has formed a number of working partnerships with companies such as Scottish Power.

Marie has worked with XLCC to create 300 jobs at the HALO Enterprise and Innovation Centre in Kilmarnock.

Work with education

Macklin has worked with school pupils to develop their knowledge of business and enterprise, particularly at her former secondary school Kilmarnock Academy, where she has been an advocate for and mentor to school pupils in creating business plans and proposals.

Macklin, as founder of The Halo Urban Regeneration, has formed business partnerships with neighbouring Ayrshire College with a focus on developing a digital workforce for the future within Kilmarnock and Ayrshire.

Other work

Macklin carries out additional work as a motivational speaker to companies and students, including speaking to students at Glasgow Caledonian University.

In addition, she is a regular commentator on UK and Scottish current affairs, appearing on programmes such as STV's Scotland Tonight and BBC Scotland's Debate Night, as well as contributing to publications including The Times, The Herald and The Scotsman.

In November 2024, Marie joined the board at the Scottish North American Business Council.

Personal life

Macklin was raised in Kilmarnock, in the Onthank area which featured in the documentary series The Scheme (2009), a BBC Scotland documentary series focusing on an area of Kilmarnock with high levels of poverty. Macklin speaks highly of her upbringing in Kilmarnock and as a reason for her work towards regeneration projects in the town. such as being awarded the Women in Enterprise, in partnership with the Association of Scottish Businesswomen, whose Award for Outstanding Contribution to Business she received in 2013. In 2015, the Association named her as Woman of Inspiration to Business in Scotland.

In October 2017, she named Scotland’s Businesswoman of the year by Women’s Enterprise Scotland.