Former Scottish Council for Development and Industry (SCDI) chief executive Lesley Sawers has been appointed Scotland Commissioner of the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC).

Sawers is currently executive chair of GenAnalytics Ltd, a consultancy focused on business performance improvement linked to equality and diversity in the workplace.

She was previously Vice Principal and Pro Vice Chancellor for Business, Enterprise and Innovation at Glasgow Caledonian University.

Sawers holds a number of public appointments with a focus on equalities, social justice and economic growth and last year completed an independent review of the “Role and contribution of women in the Scottish Economy”.

“We are very pleased to welcome Dr Lesley Sawers as our new Scotland Commissioner,” said EHRC chief executive Rebecca Hilsenrath.

“She has a wealth of knowledge and experience that will strengthen the Commission’s Board and provide a powerful voice for greater fairness in Scotland.”