The boss of publicly-owned ferry company Caledonian MacBrayne (CalMac) is leaving the business for a new role heading up an organisation helping some of the most vulnerable young people and their families across Scotland.
Martin Dorchester is to take over as chief executive at Glasgow-based charity Includem, it was announced yesterday.
Mr Dorchester leads CalMac and its lifeline services to the Scottish islands as managing director and is also chief executive of the ferry operator’s Gourock-based parent, David MacBrayne.
Earlier this year, he announced he was staying on, despite having previously said he would quit at the end of March.
He said then he wanted to remain at the helm to guide the firm through a Scottish Government review of ferry services.
Yesterday, a spokesman for David MacBrayne said Mr Dorchester would leave the group in March 2018. “A search for a successor will be starting now,” he added.
David MacBrayne chairman David McGibbon praised the outgoing CEO for the “commitment and drive he has shown in leading and developing the organisation and in building such an exceptional team.”
Mr McGibbon added: “His tremendous leadership and knowledge have brought considerable success to David MacBrayne as well as significant benefits to the Scottish economy.”
Mr Dorchester, who led CalMac’s successful bid to retain a £900million contract for Clyde and Hebrides services against fierce competition from private sector rival Serco, said: “It has been my honour to lead David MacBrayne through some difficult and challenging times.”