The Scottish Council for Development and Industry announced a number of key appointments to its board — including Scotch Whisky Association CEO Karen Betts and Clyde Blowers CEO Jim McColl.

Also appointed are RBS chief economist Stephen Boyle, former Scotland Office Minister Andrew Dunlop, Cornerstone CEO Edel Harris, VisitScotland CEO Malcolm Roughead, and Ray Riddoch, UK Managing Director & VP Europe, Nexen Petroleum UK Limited.

SCDI President Susan Rice said: “SCDI hold a unique place in Scottish life looking at how businesses, the public sector and government can all work together to secure our sustainable economic growth.

“These new appointments, and the decision of these leaders from across Scotland to help guide the organisation, shows the strength we have in convening those who want to shape this country’s future.”

SCDI CEO Mark Bevan said: “SCDI’s Board has demonstrated exceptional strength in identifying the need for change in Scotland, for a need for all of the actors in our economy to become architects of our economic future and to put our economy to work for everyone who lives here.

“Following my appointment in May, we undertook a thorough review with the assistance of our members and supported by McKinsey and Company.

“The conclusion of that review, is that the SCDI has a unique role to play as Scotland’s Economic and Social Forum and that there is an urgent need to act.

“This means drawing from our near 90 year heritage and setting a level of future ambition commensurate with Scotland’s leading lights across the private, public and not for profit sectors.

“I am delighted to announce a number of high level appointments from across Civic Scotland to complement our existing board.”

These appointment’s join the existing board members: Brendan Dick, SCDI Chair and Managing Director BT Regions & Director of BT Scotland; Ian Wall, SCDI Deputy Chair; Stewart Carruth, Chief Executive of Stirling Council; Jane Cumming, Chair of SCDI Highlands & Islands Committee and Managing Director, Platform PR; James Fowlie, Director of Integration & Development at COSLA; Willie Maltman, Director of Future Proof Learning; Mark Bevan, Chief Executive of SCDI; Deirdre Michie, Chief Executive of Oil & Gas UK; Steve Montgomery, Managing Director – UK Rail at FirstGroup plc; Colin Parker, Chair of SCDI North East Committee and Chief Executive of Aberdeen Harbour; Malcolm Robertson, Chair of SCDI London Committee; and Managing Director of Charlotte Street Partners; Grahame Smith, General Secretary of the Scottish Trades Union Congress; and Michael Urquhart, SCDI Finance Adviser and Chair, SCDI International Business Committee.