Unilever food executive is named city business chief

A FORMER executive with food giant Unilever has been put in charge of Edinburgh’s main business group.

David Birrell, who spent more than 20 years working for brands including Birds Eye and Walls around the world, has been appointed chief executive of Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce after a turbulent year for the organisation.

The 51-year-old, who lives in Dunblane with his wife and two children, vowed to rebuild confidence, but also declared an early priority would be talks with the council on a long-term “city vision”.

The chamber had to shed a third of its workforce and senior management costs were cut after a £1 million lost was posted. The problems only emerged after previous chief executive Ron Hewitt announced he was standing down after six years.

Fifteen staff have now left while two senior managers have departed and the other three have accepted pay cuts.

Mr Birrell studied at Edinburgh University, and worked for city accountancy firm Scott Moncrieff before joining Unilever in 1985.