GLASGOW University principal Professor Anton Muscatelli and entrepreneur and businessman Sir Willie Haughey are to be appointed to oversee the £1.13billion City Deal for the Glasgow area.

At a meeting next week attended by the leaders of the Clyde Valley local authorities, Lord Haughey will be appointed chair of the Glasgow and Clyde Valley Economic Leadership Board.

Professor Muscatelli will head the Commission on Urban Economic Growth.

Both bodies are being created to assist the City Deal by overseeing the co-ordination and maximisation of wider economic development activity related to the initiative.

The City Deal, funded by £500 million each from the Scottish and Westminster Governments, will fund major infrastructure projects and address challenges in the region's labour market over the next 20 year

It has been trumpeted as generating 15,000 construction jobs, 28,000 permanent jobs further down the line and unlock £3.3bn of private sector investment.

Lord Haughey said: "The City Deal has the potential to deliver outstanding economic growth through job creation across this region and I am honoured and privileged to have been asked to play a part."

Professor Muscatelli added: "This is a crucially important as well as a very exciting time for the Glasgow City region. In bringing together the expertise and innovation of business, universities and other stakeholders we can really help ensure that the future continues to be one of economic and social development and regional success."

Councillor Gordon Matheson, Leader of Glasgow City Council, said: "Lord Haughey and Professor Muscatelli are highly accomplished and respected in their fields which are directly relevant to the role they will provide as part of City Deal governance.

"They are also powerful supporters and advocates of Glasgow and our city-region. I know they will make an enormous contribution to the delivery of this transformative economic project.