Former Scottish Enterprise chief executive Lena Wilson is to become chairman of transport company FirstGroup.

Ms Wilson, who also sits on the board of NatWest, has held roles on listed and private companies for more than a decade, serving on the boards of Scottish Power Renewables and Intertek Group. She has chaired AGS Airports, owner of Glasgow and Aberdeen airports.

She was chief executive of Scottish Enterprise from 2009 to 2017 and prior to that, was a senior investment advisor to the World Bank in Washington DC.

At NatWest bank, trading as Royal Bank of Scotland north of the border, she chairs the remuneration committee and she is also the chair of Picton Property Income.

Commenting on her appointment to FirstGroup, Ms Wilson said, “I am excited about the opportunities that exist to deliver public transport services for our customers and employees in a sector that is vitally important to the nation’s economy and to continue the good progress the group has made over recent years.”

Peter Lynas, senior independent director, said Ms Wilson will bring “substantial experience from both the public and private sector combined with a strong track-record as a non-executive director.”

Further to the announcement on 26 July, David Martin retired from the board at close of business yesterday and until Ms Wilson joins the board on 1 February, Mr Lynas will act as chair.