First Minister Nicola Sturgeon confirmed that Nora Senior, chair of UK regions for global PR firm Weber Shandwick, will chair Scotland’s new Strategic Board for Enterprise and Skills.

The new board will coordinate the work of the public sector to deliver growth in the economy.

Senior recently served as president of the British Chambers of Commerce and chair of Scottish Chambers of Commerce.

Sturgeon said: “The new Strategic Board for the Enterprise and Skills Agencies will come into being later this year.

“One reason for establishing that board is to ensure better co-ordination of our agencies, securing maximum impact from our spending.

“The quality of the leadership of that board will be crucial.

“That is why I am delighted to announce that Nora Senior as the board’s first chair.

“Nora has had a hugely distinguished career in business and is the ideal person to lead the new strategic board as it works with business to achieve our shared ambitions for growth.”

Nora Senior said: “There is clear ambition to increase productivity and drive inclusive economic growth in Scotland.

“To achieve that we need to maximise the considerable investment in enterprise and skills development to ensure we have the right skills, resources and business support in place

“The Strategic Board creates a central  focus for representatives from business, education ,our economic agencies and civic communities from around Scotland to align behind a common purpose and vision, input to the most effective areas of investment, collaborate and share resources.”