James (Jim) Marchbank

Birthplace
Glasgow, Scotland

Birthdate
February 21, 1952

First Media Job
TV Reporter and News Director, CKSO, Sudbury


Jim Marchbank has been a busy man over the years. From working as television reporter and news director, to public affairs, and politician to CEO, it seems Jim has done it all!

Jim Marchbank was 17 when his family immigrated to Canada from Glasgow, Scotland as a result of his father securing a teaching job in Sudbury. It was at Laurentian University Jim studied economics and Canadian history. He graduated in 1972 and started working for CKSO Television first as a TV Reporter and later as TV News Director. He stayed with Cambrian Broadcasting for five years until he moved on to public affairs in municipal government.

In 1977 Jim moved to the Sudbury Regional Chair’s office where he became Public Affairs Officer. After an unsuccessful run as a Liberal candidate in the 1981 provincial election Jim moved to Queen’s Park for a brief spell as Director of Communications in the Leader of the Opposition’s Office.

In 1982 Jim returned from Toronto to become Director of Development at Science North. Still with a passion for public and political service Jim was elected to serve as Councillor and Alderman for the City and Region of Sudbury from 1985 to 1991.

In 1987 he was appointed CEO, a position he held until retirement in 2011, nearly 25 years! Through his vision and leadership skills Marchbank successfully led the expansion of Science North. The science centre opened an IMAX Theatre in 1994, followed in subsequent years by a motion simulator, the F. Jean MacLeod Butterfly Gallery, a special exhibits hall and a digital planetarium.

In 2003 Dynamic Earth began to transform the Big Nickel Mine in Sudbury into a new mining technology and geology science centre. Dynamic Earth underwent two further expansions before Marchbank retired. Jim was also Executive Producer of three educational IMAX films. During his tenure Science North became the second largest centre in Canada and Dynamic Earth Canada’s 8th largest science centre.

In the summer of 2012 TVO announced the appointment of Jim Marchbank to its Board of Directors for a three-year term. In a press release, Peter O’Brian, Chair of the TVO Board of Directors, described Marchbank as a “proven leader and innovator” in his field. O’Brian went on to predict that TVO would greatly benefit from his experience. Jim served on the TVO Board until the end of 2018.

Marchbank was appointed to the board of Destination Ontario, Ontario’s tourism marketing agency, in September of 2008. He was appointed Chair of the Board in 2014 and re-appointed for a second three-year term as Chair in 2017.

Jim has also contributed many hours in various volunteer capacities. He has been Chair of the Northern Cancer Foundation Board and was a Board member of the Sudbury Food Bank.

In recognizing Jim’s contributions to the development and success of Science North the science centre board awarded him with an Honorary Life Membership. In his honour the Board also established the Marchbank Innovation Fund to support the continuous learning and development of staff. The Canadian Association of Science Centres awarded Jim a Lifetime Achievement Award.

The Sudbury Chamber of Commerce Bell Business Excellence Award for Professional Achievement was bestowed upon Mr. Marchbank in 2011. He has also been awarded the Commemorative Medal for the 125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada.

Jim is also one of the few people, perhaps the only one, to be awarded three Honorary Degrees by three universities in Sudbury. Jim has been recognized for his contributions to Science North and the Sudbury community with the award of Honorary Doctorates from Laurentian, Huntington and Thorneloe Universities.

Jim and his wife, Hope, reside in Sudbury. One of their greatest pleasures is travel. The couple has made their way throughout the world visiting various countries, learning about the people, customs and culture, not to mention spectacular scenery and landmarks. Each time they return home with new experiences, knowledge, acquaintances, and memories to be treasured.