Highlands and Islands Enterprise has appointed a new director of global connections.

Stuart Black, currently area director for local enterprise company HIE Inverness and East Highland, will take up the post in April.

Stuart joined HIE as head of economics in 1996 from his previous post as lecturer in land economics at Aberdeen University. He went on to become director of the network's strengthening communities group in 2001 and chief executive of the Inverness and Nairn local enterprise company two years later.

During his tenure in the post the LEC has taken on responsibility for Badenoch and Strathspey and the Eastern part of Ross-shire to become what is now HIE Inverness and East Highland.

"I have very much enjoyed my four-and-a-half years with the local enterprise company and the support of its board," said Stuart, "It has been a particularly exciting period when the area's growing economy has supported significant developments which will benefit the whole of the Highlands, such as the expansion of Lifescan Scotland; major investment in Cairngorm National Park; the prospect of the Balcas biomass plant at Invergordon and the ongoing development of the flagship Centre for Health Science at Raigmore.

"However I am delighted to be taking up the challenge of heading the global connections group. My focus will move towards inward investment for the Highlands and Islands and the region's international opportunities, at a time when we are well placed to play significant global roles in a number of areas."

Commenting on the appointment, HIE chief executive Sandy Cumming said: "The director of global connections holds a key role in the modern HIE network.  I am sure Stuart will bring to the post his trademark energy, vision and creativity as well as the knowledge and experience he has gained in his previous roles."

Stuart was educated at Inverness High School before completing a degree in geography at Edinburgh University and a PhD in Town and Regional Planning at Glasgow University. He lives in Inverness with his wife and three daughters.