The New Year has heralded a number of important changes for the North of Scotland Industries Group (NSIG) - the joint marketing and development group for the area's leading engineering and technology companies.

Mark Abbs - a former project and engineering manager with the Ministry of Defence - has been appointed chief executive of NSIG and will be based at the Group's Alness office.  Mark, who took up the post on the 5th January, has also spent some time studying renewable energy technology.

In addition, and in-line with the Group's constitution, Denis Bell of Babtie Group has stood down as NSIG chairman after two years of firm and enthusiastic leadership since the Group's launch in June 2002.

Sean Granville, sales manager at Sureclean moves from director to chairman and Donnie MacLean, managing director of MacLean Electrical takes over the vacant directors post.  Alasdair Sharp, senior corporate manager at the Royal Bank of Scotland stays on as director/company secretary.

NSIG was launched almost two years ago by the Energy Minister, Brian Wilson MP with full support from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).  One of the Group's aims is to explore the long term business development opportunities in the oil and gas, nuclear decommissioning and renewable energy sectors as well as other strategic innovative opportunities, for the benefit of members.

With the appointment of a full time chief executive NSIG (www.nsig.co.uk) is now well positioned to be increasingly effective, dynamic and to grow its already impressive membership.