Mr Aird, owner of transport consultancy Concierge Vehicle Solutions, has taken on the post of Scotland Group chair following an election over the final two months of 2019.

He will work with a group of FSB member volunteers to help to direct the small business campaign group’s local volunteer activity north of the border, including the membership body’s busy events programme.

Mr Aird said: “The FSB is a proud champion of Scotland’s smaller business community, making their case with key decision-makers while providing crucial services and products to help our local firms succeed.

“At this important time, I’m thrilled and excited to be appointed as chair for FSB’s Scotland group. With the help of our staff and member team, I intend to ensure that we put the needs of our members at the heart of what we do – expanding our networking activity and volunteer community while improving communications.”

Andy Aird established his business in 2014 following 36 years in progressively more senior roles in the UK automotive industry. He found FSB’s services invaluable as he started up his firm, and decided to get more involved in the organisation. Andy succeeds Charles Goodall in post.

Mr Aird added: “FSB provided me great help when I needed it. I want to make sure that more existing and start-up businesses understand the fantastic support our organisation provides.

“I’d like to thank my predecessor, Charles Goodall, who has provided many years of dedicated service to the FSB. I look forward to continue to work with Charles and to tap into his years of experience supporting smaller Scottish firms.”

Andy Aird will work with the FSB’s Scotland policy chair Andrew McRae on ensuring that FSB remains the most relevant, influential and largest business membership group north of the border.

Mike Cherry, FSB’s UK national chairman, said: “Volunteers are crucial to FSB’s success as it’s only by drawing on the experience of our members who run their own small businesses that FSB is able to be such a strong campaigning voice. Therefore, I want to congratulate Andy on his new role.”