Historic Environment Scotland (HES) has appointed Alex Paterson as its new chief executive.

Mr Peterson has a wide range of experience and joins from development agency Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) where he oversaw numerous initiatives including improving the regions infrastructure, enhancing international trade and promoting business ideas.

Historic Environment Scotland was formed late last year, bringing together Historic Scotland and the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS) to create a new public body to care for, protect and promote Scotland’s historic environment.

HES is also a major provider of grant funding, has a statutory role in the planning system and works both independently and collaboratively to record and monitor, inform and conserve Scotland’s diverse historic environment.

Alex Paterson said: “I’m delighted to be joining Historic Environment Scotland. It is an organisation with great potential and an ambitious remit, and I look forward to working with the team.”

Jane Ryder, OBE, chair of HES, added: “We are delighted to welcome Alex Paterson as our new Chief Executive. He brings a wealth of experience as the current Chief Executive of HIE and as an acknowledged leader within the public sector in Scotland.

“His background in community investment and engagement combined with expertise in organisational development and change management mean he is ideally placed to lead HES at this exciting phase of our development.”

Mr Peterson will join HES later this year.