Chairman of Lochaber Enterprise steps down

Drew McFarlane Slack will stand down as chairman of Lochaber Enterprise at the end of December. He has been a board member since 1996, and held the post of Chairman since 2002. He has presided over some major developments in the area such as the contact centres for BT Manpower and First Info, the inauguration of Lochaber's dynamic Outdoor Capital of the UK campaign and the regeneration of the Kinlochleven economy following the closure of the smelter with new projects such as the new Ice Factor facility.

The post of chairman will be taken by existing vice-chairman John Jennett. John was formerly managing director of the Freedom of the Glen family of hotels, and is currently involved in property development.

Also stepping down from the board at the end of the month will be Hans-Petter Lange of Alcan and Ann Martin who will be replaced by new members Ian Buick and Martin Stubbs Partridge.

Arisaig-based academic Professor Buick is managing director of hospitality and tourism consultants Buick Systems International Ltd and works closely with Lochaber College. Martin Stubbs Partridge, who lives in Fort Augustus, has been a manager with W H Smith for eight years and currently manages the Fort William store.

Cllr McFarlane Slack commented: "It has been a privilege to serve as chairman of Lochaber Enterprise at a time when many bold and exciting decisions have been made. I am quite sure the area's confidence will continue to flourish and wish John Jennett every bit as much satisfaction as I have experienced during my time in this post."

LE chief executive Charlotte Wright paid tribute to Cllr McFarlane Slack's contribution: "Drew has been a fantastic ambassador for Lochaber. His clear leadership and business acumen have greatly assisted us in achieving our aims and we wish him well in all his future activities. We look forward to progressing our strategy with the valuable assistance of our new chairman, John Jennett."