Three distinguished business people are joining the board of Argyll and the Islands Enterprise (AIE) bringing with them vast experience in a variety of sectors.

Jane MacLeod from Lochgilphead is a solicitor and company secretary with M & K MacLeod, one of Argyll's largest construction companies.  The mother of four daughters, Mrs MacLeod is an extremely active person in the community.  Among other things, she is chairman of the Lochgilphead High School Board, and the Mid Argyll Music Festival and is secretary of the Mid Argyll Chamber of Commerce.

Commenting on her directorship, Mrs MacLeod said: "I think it is very important that the business community has a strong voice on the boards of local enterprise companies.  I will endeavour to reflect the opinions of the businesses in Argyll and the Islands during my period as a director with AIE."

Managing director of Telecom Service Centres (TSC), Lennie Moffat brings 40 years experience in the Information Systems industry to the board of AIE.  Mr Moffat, who is married with two children, lives on the Isle of Bute where he started TSC as a one-man business in 1994.  TSC now employ over 1,500 staff and won the prestigious 'Highlands and Islands Company of the Year Award' in 1999.

Mr Moffat is an Area Board Director for Young Enterprise Scotland and is a board member of the Education Business Partnership.  Commenting on joining the board of AIE, he said: " I am delighted to join the board of AIE and I look forward to the challenges ahead.  I believe I have a lot to offer the organisation and the wider community in terms of my business experience, especially in the IT sector."

Ian Cleaver from Oban is the third new board member of AIE.  He owns four hotels in Argyll, specialising in coaching holidays.   Mr Cleaver entered the hospitality trade in 1969 after spending 13 years at sea.  His first property was a guesthouse in Oban but he went on purchase the Royal Hotel in Tyndrum in 1976, followed by the Crianlarich Hotel and the Dalmally Hotel, and finally he built the Ben Doran Hotel in Tyndrum in 1994.

His business, Highland Heritage, now employs 100 people and brings approximately £13 million into Scotland annually.  Mr Cleaver's experience in the tourism industry will be an asset to the AIE board.  Commenting on why he wanted to become an AIE director, he said: "I simply want to give something back to Argyll and the Islands and this seems to be a good way to do it."

Chairman of AIE, Angus Johnston welcomed the trio to the board saying: "I am delighted to welcome the new directors to the board.  They bring a broad range of experience and I am confident their contributions will enhance the company's future performance."