Inverness and Nairn Enterprise has appointed a new acting chief executive for a period of six months to cover the absence of Bill Sylvester during his secondment to Inverness Highland 2008.

Stuart Black is currently director of strengthening communities at Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), with responsibility for community-based initiatives including community land, the voluntary sector, arts and culture, Gaelic, the environment and transport.

He will take up the INE post on 22nd October, after which he intends to make progress on a number of issues.  Commenting on his appointment, he said:  "I very much look forward to joining Inverness and Nairn Enterprise.  The local enterprise company is playing a very important role in many significant issues for the area, including the development at Inverness Airport and the Medi-centre, a joint project involving Inverness Medical and others.  I want to progress these over the next six months but I also want to ensure that the benefits of Inverness's growing economy are extended to Nairn and the more rural and disadvantaged communities of the area.  And of course we will continue the same level of commitment to the Inverness Capital of Culture bid that Bill has maintained to date."

Mr. Black is a graduate of Edinburgh and Glasgow Universities, and has also been lecturer in the Dept of Land Economy at Aberdeen University.  Prior to becoming director of strengthening communities at HIE, he held the post of head of economics at the agency.  He grew up in Inverness and attended both Central and Inverness High Schools, and now lives in the city with his wife and three daughters.

INE chairman, Ken Mackie, welcomed the appointment.  "Stuart has a wealth of experience relating to the work of the enterprise network and a comprehensive knowledge of the Highlands and Islands economy and other major issues for the area such as transport and community development.  I very much welcome his appointment to Inverness and Nairn Enterprise where I have no doubt he will make a significant contribution to the work of the LEC."