Recruitment Revamp: Donnie Forbes Appointed as Head of Data Strategy and Recruitment

Ross County Football club are delighted to announce the appointment of Donnie Forbes as Head of Data Strategy and Recruitment.

Donnie joins the Staggies with a specialised background in talent identification and strategic scouting infrastructure, leveraging scalable recruitment systems and data-led decision-making.

Forbes, a data-driven football recruitment leader, also brings practical experience across academy coaching, senior recruitment, and football operations with Queen’s Park, Colchester United, and Hibernian.

Donnie has also achieved a level three in the Football Association’s Advanced Principles of Talent Identification.

His upbringing, here in the Highlands, has helped build a strong understanding of the necessity for clubs to maintain strong local roots while striving to implement modern infrastructure and methodologies.

On the appointment of Donnie Forbes, CEO, Steven Ferguson said: “As a club, we recognised that we needed to make a shift in the way we do things.

“I have been in conversation with Donnie on and off for around 12 months regarding how we can become more data-led as a football club.

“To be able to finally get this over the line and get Donnie in the door is a significant step forward for us.

“I look forward to welcoming Donnie and know that he will do his utmost working with the football management team to help us develop and improve on all fronts.”

Following Donnie’s appointment, we can also confirm that Stuart Millar, our Chief Scout in Scotland, will be moving from the club at the end of the month.

Stuart has been at the club for three different spells, amassing over ten years of service in the process.

Stuart said, “I leave with a heavy heart and some wonderful memories throughout the years.

“I’m incredibly grateful to the Chairman and Steven Ferguson for their continued support during my time at the club.

“To all the managers I have worked under, thank you.

“A special extension of that must go to George and Derek, who brought me here to this wonderful club 19 years ago.”

Everyone at the club would like to place on record a huge thank you to Stuart, who has given incredible service to the football club over the years.

We wish Stuart all the very best going forward.

Greg Strong, our Head of Recruitment, will also move on from the football club.

Greg was brought to the club by Derek Adams in 2024 and has worked tirelessly in his role with the club.

Greg was instrumental in bringing Ronan Hale, Akil Wright, and Josh Nisbet to the club, as well as many other players who have enjoyed successful spells in Dingwall.

We would like to thank Greg for his service to the club, and we wish him all the very best as he joins Oldham Athletic for the next chapter of his career.