Scottish Chambers of Commerce yesterday appointed Aberdeen-based businessman Mike Salter as its new chairman. He replaces Norman Quirk, who has completed his two-year term of office.

Scottish Chambers of Commerce yesterday appointed Aberdeen-based businessman Mike Salter as its new chairman. He replaces Norman Quirk, who has completed his two-year term of office.

Salter has spent many years at the top level of the oil and gas industry both in Scotland and internationally. He served as vice president/general manager for all UK and European operations for Bawden Drilling (UK) in the 1980s.

From 1990 to 1995, he was chief executive in the UK for Smedvig, a leading offshore drilling and well services contractor, before joining Abbot Group, initially as development director, but was later appointed chief operating officer in 1997.

After retiring as a director of Abbot Group at the end of July 2007 he remained on the firm's board in a part-time capacity as chairman of Bentec - the group's land rig building company based in Germany - until the end of March this year.

Salter is also the immediate past president of Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce.

Commenting on his new appointment, Salter said: "I am relishing the opportunity to lead Scotland's foremost business organisation through its next stage of development.

"With the Scottish economy facing a challenging period, the Chamber of Commerce movement in Scotland has never been more important, and I am delighted that we have seen a growing membership across Scotland over the past year."