The team leader of a task force set up to tackle the effects of job losses in the Moray area has taken up his new post.

Former RAF officer Alan Maclennan, from Forres, heads up the Moray Task Force which was set up by the First Minister earlier this year to address some of the worst blows the Moray economy has ever experienced. 

More than 900 jobs are due to go at RAF Stations Kinloss and Lossiemouth, as well as another 300 at Grampian Country Foods in Buckie. The post is the first of four appointments that will assist HIE Moray and other local stakeholders take forward a strategy for diversification to deal with the economic and social effects posed by these losses.

Alan Maclennan has over 20 years experience in the RAF, but has more recently been involved in delivering innovation support to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) throughout the Highlands and Islands.

The task force team, which is based within HIE Moray at Horizon Scotland in Forres, will coordinate a number of key priorities. These include identifying opportunities to diversify and increase the performance of the Moray economy to helping improve the area's entrepreneurial culture and increasing business competitiveness.

Douglas Yule, chief executive of HIE Moray said: "This is a pivotal post that will see Alan and his team deliver key aspects of the strategy for dealing with the consequences with particular emphasis on the interface between the RAF and the wider economy. His knowledge and understanding of the RAF and Ministry of Defence as well as his recent experience with the region's SMEs and the innovation sector make him an ideal candidate for this role.

"The redrawing of the enterprise boundaries this summer has allowed us to focus the enterprise company solely on Moray. Our new east Moray office in Buckie and the formation of the Moray Task Force are other key factors that will help address the challenges that lie ahead."

Alan Maclennan will now take the lead in recruiting the remaining three Moray Task Force posts.

He said: "It is important these posts are filled as soon as possible and I hope the whole team will be in place by the end of the year.  Developing our plans and ensuring the support of stakeholder organisations in the execution of these will be a priority in the meantime."