Marketing bureau appoints new chief

THE Capital's new marketing bureau has announced the appointment of a new chairman – months after the controversial exit of its previous chair.

Alan Johnston, a former director of global pharmaceutical company Charles River Laboratories, has been appointed as chairman of the Destination Edinburgh Marketing Alliance.

Previous chair Norman Springford resigned in November amid the controversy over a potential DEMA-funded bail-out of the Gathering event.

Mr Johnston, who is also currently chairman of the Edinburgh Convention Bureau, said: "In the current global economic climate, having both the public and business sectors working effectively and collaboratively allows the city to create greater opportunities for strengthening the city's position as one of the most desirable destinations in the world."

Also joining the board of DEMA are Professor George Stonehouse, Dean of the Business School at Edinburgh Napier University, and Professor Stephen Hillier, of the University of Edinburgh.