THE organisation campaigning for a Yes vote in the independence referendum has appointed four executive directors, including a former SNP MSP and an ex-diplomat who represented Scotland in Washington.

Three of the four are women. Jacqueline Caldwell, former senior business manager with RBS who takes charge of operations at Yes Scotland; Susan Stewart, who once represented Scotland in the US and is currently director of communications at Glasgow University, takes up that position at the campaign; and Shirley-Anne Somerville, former MSP, whose new communities post will involve building up local campaigns.

To balance the ticket, her deputy will come from a more Green background, in Stan Blackley, former chief executive of Friends of the Earth Scotland.

The fourth executive director appointed, in charge of marketing, is Ian Dommett, who after 25 years in that industry established his own consultancy and advised the SNP on its marketing strategy in the last Holyrood election campaign. He said: "This is what I have been working towards for the last seven years, but this is only the beginning."

Ms Stewart said of her appointment: "Yes Scotland is an exciting, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and I am thrilled to play a part in running a positive campaign to secure a Yes vote in 2014."

Yes Scotland's chief executive, Blair Jenkins, said: "I said when I took on this role that I wanted a team of the highest calibre to match such an important and historic event in Scotland's future direction.

"I can say with certainty that with these appointments this goal has been achieved.

"Each one of them has a proven track record in his or her field of expertise and I am confident that with their input and commitment we can deliver a Yes vote in 2014."