GLASGOW Chamber of Commerce has elected engineer Jim McHarg as its new president, and made appointments to its board of management, writes Ian McConnell.

Mr McHarg began his working life as an apprentice at Weir Pumps, before going on to hold executive roles within various large engineering companies. He now leads strategic human resources initiatives at Weir Group, including learning and organisational development.

Mr McHarg, who was elected for a two-year term at Glasgow Chamber’s annual meeting, succeeds Neil Amner, of law firm Anderson Strathern. Paul Little, principal and chief executive of City of Glasgow College, will be Mr McHarg’s deputy during this term.

Professor Neal Juster, senior vice-principal at the University of Glasgow, and Gillian Docherty, of The Data Lab, have joined the chamber’s board of management.

Stepping down from the board of management are past Glasgow Chamber president Vic Emery and Amanda McMillan, who in October announced plans to step down as managing director of Glasgow Airport to move with her family to Australia.

Glasgow Chamber chief executive Stuart Patrick said: “In Jim McHarg and Paul Little, we have a highly experienced pairing at the helm.”