SCOTTISH construction, infrastructure, and support services company Robertson Group has appointed property and regeneration specialist Jim McIntyre, who was responsible for setting up the NHS 24 telephone advice service about a decade ago, to reinforce its growth strategy.

Robertson Group, set up in Elgin in Moray in 1966 by executive chairman and majority owner Bill Robertson, has appointed former Scottish Enterprise director Mr McIntyre to its board as managing director for strategy and development.

It is keen to capitalise on Mr McIntyre’s experience across the public and private sectors, as it continues its drive to find new ways of working in partnership with clients amid the tough economic climate.

Mr McIntyre is joining from 1NG, the private sector-led economic development and management company in Newcastle and Gateshead, where he was chief executive officer.

He had two spells with Scottish Enterprise. In 2003/04, he was the economic development agency’s director of competitive place. Between 1997 and 2000, he was executive director for major projects, property and environment at Scottish Enterprise Edinburgh & Lothians.

He was chief executive of NHS 24 between 2000 and 2003.

After his second spell at Scottish Enterprise, Mr McIntyre was chief executive of Gladedale Capital, where he was responsible for the Quartermile project in Edinburgh.

Robertson Group chief executive Andrew Cowan said: “We are delighted that Jim is joining us, given his broad-ranging experience in the public and private sectors. Our underlying business is very robust, but the economic climate has changed significantly in a number of our core markets and this has meant identifying new ways of working in partnership with clients.

“Jim’s skills and experience will help us further develop this collaborative approach. Challenging times offer excellent opportunities for innovation.”

Robertson Group also said yesterday that it had appointed Calum MacPherson, former Highlands and Islands Enterprise area manager for Moray, as strategy and business development director.

It added that Mr MacPherson, who co-chaired the Moray Task Force which campaigned successfully to retain RAF Lossiemouth, would “focus on the north and north-east areas of Scotland”.

Mr Cowan said the two appointments reflected Robertson Group’s “determination to develop innovative business models which benefit both the public and private sector”.

Accounts filed with Companies House about 10 months ago showed Robertson Group (Holdings) cut its operating losses from continuing activities to £3.96m in the 16 months to March 31 2010, from £9.1m in the prior financial period, the 12 months to November 2008. Its housebuilding business, Robertson Homes, made losses, but its facilities management operation achieved healthy profits.

Group turnover from continuing activities was £113.4m in the 16 months to March 31, 2010. This compared with a figure of £108.6m for the 12 months to November 2008.

Robertson Group directly employs more than 1000 people throughout the UK and Ireland.