ACSEF (Aberdeen City and Shire Economic Future) has appointed two new board members in the areas of transport and tourism to strengthen the board’s expertise and replace retiring members, Stewart Spence and Michael Clark.

Claire Bruce of Glen Tanar Estate and Derek Provan, managing director of Aberdeen Airport are joining the board of the public private sector partnership which drives economic development in the region. 

Ms Bruce owns Glen Tanar Estate and is chairwoman of the Royal Deeside and Cairngorms destination management organisation. Royal Deeside and Cairngorms tourism is one of ASCEF’s flagship projects as part of the overall objectives of growing tourism revenues across the region.

Mr Provan, who has worked with BAA since 1998, will bolster the transport expertise on the board.

The managing director of Aberdeen Airport for the last two years, Mr Provan previously held senior positions at Stansted and Glasgow airports.

Tom Smith, ACSEF chairman, said: “We are delighted to welcome Claire and Derek to the board. Their knowledge and fresh approach will bring a different perspective and complement the capabilities of the existing members.

“The board has strong representation from the key sectors that have the most potential to achieve economic growth in the region, creating the wealth and jobs necessary to secure our long-term future.

“The main role of the board is to ensure that our long-term vision for a prosperous Aberdeen City and Shire is achieved by influencing, facilitating and delivering initiatives and major projects that will encourage a step-change in economic growth with the right conditions and environment in place for our businesses and people to grow and develop.

“We would like to pay tribute to Michael and Stewart who have retired from the board. Both have contributed generously and passionately to helping ACSEF achieve its goals and have been tremendous ambassadors for Aberdeen City and Shire.”

ACSEF seeks to drive growth in the economy and enhance its quality of life by delivering actions under priority area of improving transport and connectivity, attracting, developing and retaining skilled people and businesses, redeveloping the city centre and anchoring and diversifying the international energy industry.

Under these priority areas, ACSEF is driving forward key projects including Energetica, Royal Deeside and the Cairngorms tourism and the City Garden Project as well as working on improving the region’s digital connectivity and skills development.

The ACSEF board also comprises chairman Tom Smith – executive chairman of Nessco Group Holdings Ltd, Councillor Anne Robertson of Aberdeenshire Council, Councillor Callum McCaig of Aberdeen City Council, Stewart Milne – chairman and chief executive of Stewart Milne Group, Melfort Campbell – chairman of IMES Group, Colin Crosby – consultant with Brewin Dolphin, Mike Salter – president of Scottish Chambers of Commerce, Professor Stephen Logan – senior vice principal of the University of Aberdeen,  Dave Blackwood – non-executive director of Valiant Petroleum, John Michie – partner of Michie’s the Chemist and Russel Griggs, board member Scottish Enterprise.