Harris Tweed boss Brian Wilson made business ambassador

Mr Wilson says trade translates into jobs and prosperity at home

Harris Tweed Hebrides chairman Brian Wilson has been appointed as a business ambassador for the UK government.

Mr Wilson, a former Labour MP and trade and energy minister, will promote Scottish business at home and abroad.

The "flexible" role will also see Mr Wilson encourage more firms to develop growth in Scottish exports.

The announcement was made by Scottish Secretary Michael Moore during a tour of the new Diageo bottling plant in Leven.

Mr Wilson said: "Trade is politically neutral and translates directly into jobs and prosperity at home.

"I am very willing to make whatever contribution I can to supporting Scottish and other UK companies overseas and by encouraging more of our businesses to become exporters".

Mr Moore said Mr Wilson would be a "huge asset" for Scottish business.

Mr Wilson is currently a member of the Scottish Business Board, a group of advisers established by the Scottish Secretary.

He will chair a committee which will examine how more businesses could sell abroad.

Mr Wilson added: "Everyone can do it and the support mechanisms are there.

"What this review is meant to do is find out how it can be made easier, how more companies can get into it.

"The absolute certainty is that if more companies were prepared to look at exporting then hundreds, thousands - or, in the case of small rural communities, tens of jobs - would be created."