Local leads for Institute of Directors

The Institute of Directors has confirmed the appointment of two new chairmen to lead its Tayside and Fife branches.

Pain Association Scotland director Sonia Cottom said she was “thrilled” by her new role in Tayside’s development.

“The area already has a long and positive trade record of collaboration and economic growth, with over 15,500 businesses established here,” she said.

“We are home to the headquarters of some major operations such as Aviva, SSE, Alliance Trust, NHS Scotland, British Army, Royal Marines, Stagecoach, Michelin, Diageo, Quaker Oats, four local authorities, three colleges and three universities – to name a few.

“While chair, I will be focusing on holding events to connect people and to help deliver added value.

Ian Collins, area director for local banking at Bank of Scotland and vicepresident of Dundee and Angus Chamber of Commerce, said he was relishing his new role in Fife.

“Fife has a variety of opportunities opening up at the moment, such as the new Queensferry Crossing, a growing and more varied tourism economy across the whole of the county and leveraging on some of the developments happening across the water in Dundee,” Mr Collins said.

“It also has challenges to overcome, with the loss of jobs within engineering , retail and some tourism related business.

“Businesses in the area need to embrace change and grasp the opportunities of a digital world.

“We will be hosting events to help leaders focus on our local potential.”

Sonia Cottom has been named as chairman of Tayside branch of the Institute of Directors while Ian Collins has taken over the same role at the group’s Fife branch.