Entrepreneurial Scotland has appointed former Army major James Stuart as its first managing director.

The newly-created role will see Mr Stuart, 38, lead the Entrepreneurial Scotland operational team serving more than 1500 members and alumni from across Scotland.

Mr Stuart spent nine years in the Army following a degree at Southampton University and training at Sandhurst. In his last three years he was also chief operating officer at first the Scottish Equestrian Association and then the Royal Yachting Association, where he later became chief executive and masterminded a major event in Glasgow for the Commonwealth Games and Homecoming.

He is a board member of the Scottish Sports Association, Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park, and the Tourism Industry Leadership Group, and most recently became managing director of Edinburgh Pharmaceutical Processes.

Sandy Kennedy, chief executive at Entrepreneurial Scotland, said: “Hiring James is great news for Entrepreneurial Scotland and for our aim of establishing Scotland as the most entrepreneurial society in the world. James brings with him a wealth of experience and expertise from a range of sectors and will be a fantastic asset to the organisation.”

Mr Stuart said: “I relish the opportunity of joining Entrepreneurial Scotland in this new role. I’m passionate about Scotland and I can draw on my previous experience to develop our established networks and programmes. I can’t wait to get started.”

In April the 17 fellows of Entrepreneurial Scotland, including Sir Brian Souter, Ann Gloag, Sir Tom Hunter, and Jim McColl, pledged to become active ambassadors for the organisation to broaden its network.