Charlotte Wright has been appointed the new chief executive Lochaber Enterprise, following a period working as acting chief executive.

Charlotte moved to Fort William from her native Tyneside in 1995, leaving a senior management post in the health service.

In 1997 she joined the local enterprise company as a development manager, responsible for advising local people who were thinking of starting up new firms as well as a wide range of existing businesses.

In 1999, Charlotte was promoted to head of community development, and in January 2002 was appointed acting chief executive, while chief executive Jackie Wright undertook a secondment to help Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) modernise its products and processes. 

Last month, Jackie secured the post of director of growing businesses at HIE.

Commenting on her new appointment, Charlotte said: "I am very pleased to have secured this post, and am looking forward to the challenge of continuing to grow the Lochaber economy.  We have a strong history of partnership working in Lochaber, and I am confident that by working with businesses, communities and our agency partners we will gain good results."

Welcoming Charlotte to the post on a permanent basis, Lochaber Enterprise chairman Drew Macfarlane-Slack said he was delighted that the board had been able to appoint such a strong candidate.  He said: "I am delighted with Charlottes appointment.  The Board were sorry to lose Jackie Wright as their chief executive but are confident that Charlotte will be an excellent leader for the organisation at a time of significant change in Lochaber."

Sandy Cumming, chief executive at HIE said: "As acting chief executive Charlotte made a highly positive contribution to the work of Lochaber Enterprise during what has been a testing time for the area.  I look forward to our continued involvement with Charlotte and her team in Lochaber."

Charlotte lives in Fort William with her husband David Wilson, who is a landscape painter and mountaineer, and their two children.