UTILITY SSE has named Crawford Gillies as the new senior independent director on its board.

The Scottish Enterprise chairman also holds non-executive posts at Barclays, Standard Life and Mitie Group.

Mr Gillies, who will take up the position in August, said: "Having gone to school in Perth it is particularly pleasing for me to have the opportunity to join the board of SSE which, from its headquarters there, is now a leading energy provider across the UK and Ireland.

"Energy is a critical resource, and this is a key time for the sector, and I am looking forward to contributing to SSE's commitment to work for the benefit of customers and investors alike."

At SSE Mr Gillies, a chartered accountant who spent more than two decades with management consultancy Bain & Company, will replace Richard Gillingwater who is now deputy chairman and is in line to replace Lord Smith of Kelvin as chairman.

Mr Gillingwater said: "[Crawford] has extensive business and management experience in the private sector and strong associations with the public sector as well.

"I am sure that all of this will be of immense value to the board and to SSE as a whole."

Mr Gillingwater has been paid an annual fee of £83,000 in each of the past two financial years for his role as senior independent director.

Mr Gillies is due to step down from the board of Mitie next month and according to SSE is stepping down from Scottish Enterprise later this year.

He has been chairman at the economic development agency since 2009. He was re-appointed to the post in 2012 with Scottish Enterprise's website suggesting his current term comes to an end this month.