Meet Sarah ... new boss of £1bn Trump golf resort

‘Buchan quine’ set to put Balmedie on world map

By David Ewen chief reporter

Published:

TEED UP: Sarah Malone will be at the helm of Donald Trumps' new resort.

UNTIL now she has worked behind the scenes, breathing life into a North-east museum and turning it into a top attraction.

Now all eyes will be on Sarah Malone herself – as head of Donald Trump’s £1 billion golf resort near Balmedie.

The 34-year-old was today announced as executive vice-president of Trump International Golf Links Scotland.

She vowed to play her part in delivering a project that would “floodlight” the North-east.

Sarah, a director at the Gordon Highlanders Museum in Aberdeen, said: “I think it’s a phenomenal project.

“There’s no question that it will have an immeasurable impact on tourism. It’s quite clear it will give us a completely different level of exposure.

“For too long the Central Belt and the Highlands have stolen the limelight and have captured domestic as well as overseas audiences.

“Everything that makes Scotland wonderful is within a short driving distance around this region. This is an opportunity for us to showcase what we do.

“We have a world-class developer whose brand is associated with luxury and excellence.”

Today, Donald Trump junior welcomed her to the team.

He said: “We were impressed with her distinguished career and the fact she was well-respected in Aberdeenshire was important.

“She will be involved in all aspects of management and will complement our talented team.”

Mr Trump’s Menie Estate will be the site for 500 houses, 950 holiday homes, a hotel, and a golf course he hopes will be the “world’s best”.

Sarah flew to New York a few weeks ago to meet the tycoon for the first time and sign up for running the resort after first getting to know his team more than a year ago. Sarah said: “I think he is a visionary, a very positive man. I can’t work for someone I don’t believe in.”

She grew up in Peterhead and attended the fishing town’s secondary school.

Dad Tom is team manager with Aberdeenshire Council’s social work department and mum Margaret is a senior housing officer.

After graduating with an Honours degree in Fine Art from the Glasgow School of Art, Sarah moved to Cambridge to undertake a postgraduate diploma in Arts Management at Anglia University.

She joined the museum on Viewfield Road six years ago and oversaw a £1.2 million extension, helping boost visitor numbers to more than 30,000.

Two years ago she was made the Face of Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire in an Evening Express competition.

She said: “I come from a regular background. I’m a Buchan quine.

“I’m interested in the people of the North-east.

“The project is going to create jobs for the generation that’s coming up. It’s loud and clear as far as I can hear that people want this development.

“The objective now is for the people of the North-east to work to make it our own.”

A detailed masterplan for the site will be published in the autumn.

Sarah said: “There’s still preparatory work to be done but I’m going to be involved in every stage.”

As for concerns about the impact on the shifting sand dunes, Sarah said it was important to make the most of the landscape.

“I knew those beaches growing up, they are part of my heritage,” she said. “I believe in the integrity of the Trump Organisation as developers, that they will do everything they can to safeguard the dunes and coastline.”

Her appointment, she suggested, showed Mr Trump’s respect for the area’s heritage – having chosen someone who has worked passionately to preserve local history.

She said: “Leaving the museum is going to pull my heartstrings but I’m ready for this new position.”

dewen@ajl.co.uk