Business veteran Norman Murray is to spearhead the new ethics push by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland.

Mr Murray, a past president of ICAS who qualified as an accountant in 1976, is the current chairman of drinks producer Edrington Group and fills the same role on the board of Scottish Ballet.

He has also been chairman of oil businesses Petrofac and Cairn Energy as well as sitting on the boards of companies such as Robert Wiseman Dairies, Greene King and Bristow Helicopter Group.

Prior to taking up a portfolio of non-executive roles, he co-founded Morgan Grenfell Private Equity with his former flatmate Lord Smith of Kelvin.

Now Mr Murray is to chair the ICAS Ethics Board which looks to build on The Power of One concept the organisation launched at its annual conference last month.

That aims to instil in individuals the need to act ethically at all times and also embed that kind of behaviour throughout organisations they work in.

Mr Murray said: "An important aspect of The Power of One is the need for individuals to have the confidence and the moral courage to deal with ethical issues. Alongside this, companies must encourage a culture of doing the right thing when dealing with those issues.

"We are encouraging our membership, many of whom hold key positions in global businesses, to play a leading role in influencing business culture and ensuring the right climate exists for principled, ethical decision making."

Anton Colella, ICAS chief executive, said: "Norman Murray is one of our most respected business professionals and we are very fortunate to have him join us in this great initiative.”