THE Oil & Gas Innovation Centre has appointed sector veteran Ernie Lamza as its chief operating officer.

Mr Lamza will bring more than 30 years experience of work in the industry to the centre, formed last year to speed up the development of technology for the oil and gas sector by linking small and medium sized enterprises with Scotland's universities and research institutes. An engineer by training, Mr Lamza has worked for oil and gas production and services firms, in the UK and overseas. Ian Phillips, chief executive of the innovation centre said: "With his extensive industry background in technology, Ernie understands first-hand the issues which companies have to deal with when they are looking to embark on innovative projects." The centre is administered by Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh.