Shetland Islands Council has appointed John Smith as its new director of infrastructure services.

Mr Smith takes over from former director Maggie Sandison, who stepped up to the position of chief executive in February.

He joined the local authority in 1994 as IT manager and has also worked across organisational development, performance management and change management roles. Most recently, he has been managing the Ports & Harbours service as acting executive manager.

Mr Smith said: “I am delighted to have been given this opportunity at an exciting time for the council with a new chief executive and new political leadership. I have enjoyed my varied roles over the years and am especially happy to be continuing my link with Ports & Harbours. I am very much looking forward to tackling fresh challenges and opportunities with the Infrastructure team.”

Council leader Steven Coutts said: “I am particularly proud we were able to appoint an internal candidate for this key role in the council’s senior management team. We had a good group of candidates, but John was the strongest in the field. I am looking forward immensely to working with John in his new role.”