It has been announced that the new chief executive of Moray Badenoch and Strathspey Enterprise (MBSE) is to be Douglas Yule. He will take over the role at the beginning of August.

Mr Yule (44) will replace the current chief executive Dick Ruane who is due to retire later this year.

Mr Yule has extensive experience of the HIE Network, and of working within Local Enterprise Companies. He began his career in retail management before retraining as a chartered surveyor. He then joined the HIE Network, working as property manager for both Skye and Lochalsh Enterprise and Lochaber Enterprise. He also spent a period heading up HIE's inward investment team and as acting chief executive of Inverness and Nairn Enterprise. Most recently he has been working as a senior development manager at Morrison Developments Ltd.

Douglas Yule takes over the post at a time when MBSE is undergoing a period of change. Until last April the Local Enterprise Company worked to both Enterprise Networks with the western half of the area being covered by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), and the eastern half being covered by Scottish Enterprise. Now the whole area has come under the HIE umbrella with access to its economic and social development programmes.

He said: "The position of MBSE chief executive is a very challenging one, but it also offers the opportunity to be involved with an organisation that brings real benefits to the area it serves. I am looking forward enormously to taking over the helm, especially following the closer re-alignment of MBSE within the HIE area.

"The local economy is also very diverse, including a strong fishing and farming base as well as significant employment in tourism and in modern industries such as the tele-service centres which exist in Forres and are planned for Aviemore. Some of these industries do not have their troubles to seek at this time and I am committed to maintaining the strongest possible links between them and the Enterprise Network to try and assist them to further growth and stability wherever possible."

MBSE chairman Jim Lochhead said: "We are delighted to have someone of Douglas's calibre to lead the Local Enterprise Company's work into this new period and we look forward to his input in the months and years ahead. I must however also pay tribute to the sterling work which has been carried out by Dick Ruane. He has forged MBSE into an effective company with strong links to, and achievements in the community. His contribution to the economic and social development of the area over the past ten years has been significant."