National park’s new convener
A new convener has been elected for Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park.
James Stuart, from Dunblane, is the managing director of Entrepreneurial Scotland and former chief executive of the Royal Yachting Association.
He was elected to the £19,137 a year role as convener by the board at its meeting on Monday.
The 37-year-old will take up his new position on March 1 next year.
Mr Stuart, who served as an officer in the Scottish Infantry for eight years, is also a member of the National Tourism Strategy (Tourism Scotland 2020) Strategic Leadership Group.
He was first appointed to the National Park Board in February, 2015, and is said to have had an interest in the park for many years.
He said:“The National Park has come a long way in recent years with numerous successes and gaining national recognition.
“We are also about to deliver some key projects that will secure long-term, environmental, community and economic benefits.
“These projects will characterise much of our work over the next few years and are crucial to the continued progress and impact of the park.
“As convener I aim to lead the organisation in a way that is mindful of these big projects whilst also looking to the future.”
Current convener, Linda McKay, former principal of Forth Valley College, is stepping down in February, 2017, after serving the maximum two terms.
The convener of the National Park Board is responsible to Scottish Ministers and must aim to ensure the board’s policies and actions support the wider strategic priorities of the Scottish Ministers.
Their role is to lead the board on formulating their strategy, promote efficient and effective use of park staff, represen the views of the board to the general public and ensure that when making decisions the board follows the guidance of the Scottish Ministers.