The chair of the Scottish Business Resilience Centre (SBRC) is to stand down after four years.

Paddy Tomkins, a former high-ranking police officer, is moving aside to focus on other commitments at the end of September.

He said: “My time with SBRC will always be a source of many happy memories, but my business activities are increasingly taking me overseas. Now is the time for a new Chairperson to make a fresh contribution that will help deliver the exciting new strategies being developed under Jude McCorry’s leadership. I wish my successor every success in the role.”

The Board said it had ‘reluctantly’ accepted his resignation and was grateful to him for the significant contribution he has made to SBRC since he joined.

In the interim, Douglas Barnett from AXA and current Vice-Chair will lead the board until a new Chair is appointed. The search for a new Chair is already underway with the recruitment process closing on 24th September.

Jude McCorry, CEO of the SBRC noted: “Paddy’s vast experience and the focus which he brought to the SBRC during his tenure as Chair has undeniably shaped our future direction and we wish him all the very best for the future.

“Given the impact which the SBRC’s work has in terms of supporting business both online and offline, as well as challenging economic environment which will naturally impact business resilience, we are looking for an experienced Chair who can support myself and the Board in making sure that we remain a leader in our sector not only nationally, but also across Europe.

“Scotland is home to a passionate and dedicated business community, and we want to guarantee that SBRC is there to work alongside them and guide them towards being truly resilient.”