Enterprise chief in Queen's birthday honours

William Roe has been chairman of HIE since 2004

The chairman of Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has been made a CBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours.

William Roe has been recognised for public service.

He has been chairman of the government agency since September 2004 and is Scotland commissioner on the UK Commission for Employment and Skills.

Mr Roe is also a non-executive member of the Department of Work and Pensions Agency and has involvement in other public organisations.

He said the CBE belonged to the staff and board members of HIE.

Mr Roe added: "I truly believe the Highlands and Islands is a fantastic place and that Highlands and Islands Enterprise is a fantastic development agency.

"This honour may be in my name, but what pleases me most is that it recognises the contribution made every day by the dedicated staff and board members, past and present, of Highlands and Islands Enterprise."

Last June, he resigned from a consultancy firm at the centre of controversy over contract awards.

Mr Roe had been chairman of both HIE and Rocket Science UK, which was awarded £150,000 of contracts by the enterprise body.

An internal review into the contracts was ordered by the then HIE chief executive Sandy Cumming.

It found "no evidence" of wrongdoing, but Mr Roe said he would step down from Rocket Science.

Earlier this year, he said expanding the renewable sector would help Scotland recover from the effects of the recession.

The Highlands and Islands has been seen as a prime location for wind, wave and tidal power projects.