Community links are set to be further strengthened on the board of Caithness and Sutherland Enterprise (CASE) with the appointment of a new chairman.
Former director on the board, Pat Buchanan will take on her new responsibilities today (Wednesday January 23), following the retirement of Jack Watson after 8 years.
Mrs Buchanan has lived and worked in Caithness for almost 30 years. She is active in local tourism and economic development forums and currently chairs the Community Economic Development Action Group and is a member of the Ministerial Taskforce for Local Economic Forums. She has been a director of HOST since 1997.
On taking up the appointment Mrs Buchanan said: "Caithness and Sutherland Enterprise plays a key role in nurturing and developing the potential of the area. I welcome this opportunity to work with CASE staff to support local businesses and communities, to help strengthen and diversify the economy and to realise the full potential of local people. This will require strong working partnerships and the willingness to work together."
Mr Jack Watson said: "I'm delighted that Pat has been appointed and agreed to take on the post. She will bring a new dimension to the job and will be exactly what the company needs at this point in its development. Her natural common sense, allied to her proven business acumen, will be extremely valuable. She is one of the most competent colleagues I have had the pleasure of working with."
Mrs Buchanan added: "In his role as chairman and director of the enterprise company Jack Watson has steadfastly pursued these objectives with integrity and vigour and I have no doubt he will be a hard act to follow. I will certainly do my best to meet the challenge."