By Scott Wright

THE Institute of Directors (IoD) has appointed the long-standing boss of Young Scot as its new national director for Scotland.

Louise Macdonald joins the organisation after two decades at Young Scot, where she spent 12 years as chief executive.

Ms Macdonald will be IoD Scotland's first female national director when she joins in the summer. She replaces Malcolm Cannon, who left late last year.

Young Scot operates a discount and rewards card for young people aged 11 to 26. Alongside her role there, Ms Macdonald holds a range of board positions, including on the Scottish Parliament’s Scotland’s Futures Forum, the First Minister’s National Advisory Council on Women and Girls, and the Royal Society of Edinburgh’s Covid-19 Futures Commission.

Ms Macdonald said: “The IoD is an organisation I have huge respect for, especially in its cross-sector collaborative approach developed in Scotland over recent years. As a member I have been able to experience the different facets of the organisation and am excited by its potential for growth and impact. Business leaders in Scotland are now about to enter a new chapter as they seek to ensure their businesses come out of the pandemic securely and sustainably.

“I am passionate about ensuring their voices are heard and that they take full advantage of the practical and meaningful support the IoD can provide to them as individuals.”

Aidan O’Carroll, chairman of IoD Scotland, said: “The national director role requires not only support for our members but also our team, and I know that Louise will lead them with great energy and purpose.

“Louise’s experience in leading a high-profile organisation over the last 12 years, in addition to her non-executive board roles, impressed us considerably and we believe that she has the right skills, connections and experiences to ensure that our members’ voices will be heard loud and clear.”