CBI Scotland announced that Tracy Black has taken over from Hugh Aitken as the CBI’s Director for Scotland as of January 1.

Aitken will remain part of the CBI Scotland team into 2018 to lead a number of ongoing projects and to fulfil an “ambassadorial role” for the organisation.

Black has been part of the CBI Scotland team since April 2017, shadowing Aitken in her role as deputy regional director as part of a planned succession process.

“Born and raised in Scotland, Tracy has enjoyed a distinguished and varied business career both in the UK and overseas,” said CBI Scotland.

“Time spent in senior roles at leading global financial services institutions, as well as smaller business consultancy and entrepreneurial start-ups, will equip her well for the role.”

Black said: “I’m delighted to take over from Hugh at such an exciting time for CBI Scotland.

“Following a year of tremendous hard work delivering our landmark Pursuing Prosperity report, we now have a really solid platform to launch our campaigning efforts in 2018.

“Looking ahead we have two clear priorities for the Scottish economy: maintaining Scotland’s competitiveness and working with government and other partners to boost productivity – those are the only sure-fire ways to arrest the cycle of weak growth we now find ourselves in and to deliver the sustainable public services and increased living standards we all want to see.

“We have a hugely innovative and dynamic business community here in Scotland – all passionate about championing Scotland as a place to live, work and do business.

“We know that issues like Brexit present huge challenges to the Scottish economy but there is also a great deal to celebrate.

“I’m looking forward to working with some really inspiring business leaders to make sure that audiences across the UK and beyond recognise what Scotland can offer them now and in the years to come.”