The new deputy chief executive of Shetland Enterprise is Ann Black (32), who hails from Sumburgh in the south mainland. She has taken up the appointment following five years with Highlands and Islands Airports Limited at Sumburgh Airport.

The post is a new one which has been created in response to the changing priorities of the local enterprise company.

Ann Black said: "The work of Shetland Enterprise has changed considerably since it was created nearly ten years ago. Priorities for the area are different and tackling particular problems, like the scaling down of the Royal Air Force base on Unst, are new challenges which didn't exist in the early 1990's.

"Shetland Enterprise currently has a much wider remit than it did a decade ago and numbers of staff have increased to take account of this. To allow us to continue to play a leading role in the economic and social development of the area, a deputy to help share the management of the company is now required. This allows more time for strategic planning and how to use our resources for maximum impact.

"I deal with the day to day operation of the company like overseeing the delivery of programmes, monitoring of budgets and targets, representing and promoting Shetland Enterprise at meetings, and working in partnership with other agencies and organisations. I also deputise for David in his absence."

"Shetland faces an exciting future, as well as many new challenges and I am delighted to be able to play a part in the work which will help make the area an even better place to live and work. Adding value and diversifying traditional sectors of the economy provides great potential, and information technology will play an even bigger role in the future - not just for businesses but for communities and individuals as well."

Ann left Sumburgh Airport as the assistant airport manager to take up her new appointment in August this year. She was educated at Anderson High School and graduated with an MA (Hons) in Economic History and Sociology at the University of Glasgow in 1990. Using a thesis about the impact war and oil has had on Shetland, she completed a PhD in 1995, and joined Sumburgh Airport as an administration officer soon after.