Two new directors have joined the board of Lochaber Limited, part of the Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) network.

Lochailort businessman Simon MacDonald, and Marine Harvest Scotland's processing manager, George Gardiner were officially welcomed onto the board by the Enterprise Company's chief executive Jackie Wright, last week.

Simon MacDonald, aged 49, has lived in the Lochaber area since 1978. He and his wife spent several years living and working on the Island of Eigg before moving to Glenuig where Mr MacDonald bought a fishing boat and worked as a fisherman until 1987. During his time as a creel fisherman, Mr MacDonald was heavily involved in the Highlands and Islands Fishermen's Association for Static Gear, which was established to protect the interests of creel fishermen.

In 1987, Mr MacDonald came ashore to set up MacDonald's Smoked Produce, smoking a wide range of top quality products including fish, alligator and ostrich. The business has flourished and diversified in two directions, consultancy and demonstration, which has taken Mr MacDonald all over Europe.

Mr MacDonald, who lists sailing, skating and shooting as his hobbies, is vice-chairman of the Lochaber Craft and Food Producers Association, an organisation that he helped set up.

On taking up his directorship at Lochaber Limited, Mr MacDonald said: "I have received a lot of help from Lochaber Limited over the years so I am delighted to be joining the board. I look forward to giving something back to the Enterprise Company and to the people of Lochaber."

Roy Bridge-based George Gardiner, aged 42, has been Marine Harvest Scotland's (MHS) processing manager since 1997. MHS is the UK's largest salmon farming operation and is one of Lochaber's most significant employers. Mr Gardiner is manager of Marine Harvest's processing and added value operation in Fort William.

Mr Gardiner began his working career in Dumfriesshire as a laboratory technician with Express Foods in Lochmaben. Since then he has worked for several well respected food firms including Pinneys of Scotland where he was a factory manager until 1997.

Mr Gardiner is married with one child, enjoys fishing and hill walking, and is currently finishing a BSc degree with the Open University.

Mr Gardiner said: "This is a tremendous region which offers the essence of Scotland in its products. I am looking forward to contributing towards local business developments and the community at large."

Chief executive of Lochaber Limited, Jackie Wright said: "We are pleased to welcome Simon MacDonald and George Gardiner to Lochaber Limited. Both of them bring a wealth of local knowledge and business experience, especially in the food production sector, to the Enterprise Company and they will help us to continue to successfully develop the area."