Ms Dingwall has joined business membership group from the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA) where she was their senior policy manager.

As head of policy for Scotland, Ms Dingwall will be a part of FSB’s management team in Scotland. Working in partnership with FSB members, Ms Dingwall will ensure that Scottish small business interests are understood by key decision-makers in government and elsewhere.

She is joined in the Scotland management team by David Groundwater, FSB’s recently promoted regional development manager for Scotland, who will drive the organisation’s local advocacy, member support and campaigns activity. Mr Groundwater was formerly FSB’s Development Manager for North East Scotland.

Stacey Dingwall said: “Local, independent businesses are key to the success of Scotland’s local economies and communities – and 99 per cent of firms north of the border are either small or medium sized. That’s why I’m proud to be joining an FSB team that tirelessly makes the case for Scotland’s small businesses and self-employed individuals.

“I’m looking forward to using all my experience to ensure that the voice of small business is heard.”

David Groundwater added: “When the pandemic hit and the shutters were pulled down, FSB stepped up and threw everything behind supporting small businesses who found themselves in the direst of circumstances. We made a real difference – providing one-to-one support to businesses who wouldn’t have made it without us and advocating the small business case with local decision-makers.

“In my new post, I want to help FSB members across the length and breadth of Scotland get back on their feet and get back to growth. Our brilliant team of field staff will do that by pressing local policymakers and rolling out an exciting programme of events and initiatives.”

Colin Borland, FSB’s director of devolved nations, continues to lead FSB’s staff teams in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Welcoming the newest members of the FSB Scotland management team, Mr Borland said: “I’m proud that FSB continues to attract, develop and retain outstanding staff who stand up for Scotland’s small business community at every turn.

“Working in partnership with FSB’s members, the strength and depth of Stacey and David’s experience will allow us to deliver on what we exist to achieve: helping smaller businesses achieve their ambitions.”