Former MSP Susan Deacon has been appointed as the first female chair of the Institute of Directors in Scotland.

The 51-year old Ms Deacon, Scotland’s first cabinet minister for health and community care in 1999, began her career working in local government.

She had a spell with management consultancy Eglinton and then worked at the business school at Heriot-Watt University before winning election as a Labour MSP.

Since leaving Holyrood in 2007 she has taken on a wide portfolio of roles including non-executive positions at ScottishPower and Lothian Buses.

Speaking about her new role at the IoD she said: “Successful organisations need effective leaders – it’s that simple.

“If Scotland is to continue to grow and flourish on a world stage we need to support the leaders of today and to grow the leaders of tomorrow.

“So too must our boardrooms have within them a diverse range of skills and experience and operate to the highest possible standards.”

Ian McKay, the outgoing chair who formally stands down at the organisation’s annual conference on Friday, said: “The future of the IoD is in excellent hands with Susan at the helm.

“Her varied experience and approach to leadership will be of real benefit to the IoD at a time when boards are increasingly embracing change.”