PETER Duthie, the first employee hired by the first chief executive of the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre, will next month take on the top job.

Mr Duthie, 54, who was appointed as event sales executive by Chris Garrett in January 1984, will succeed John Sharkey as chief executive of Scottish Exhibition Centre Ltd from April 19. He will be responsible for the entire business operation of the SECC and SSE Hydro. Mr Duthie has been commercial director of SEC Ltd since 2008. SEC Ltd, 91%-owned by Glasgow City Council, declined to disclose Mr Duthie's salary for the top job.