Sterling Greenaways' chairman Bob Hodgson has been announced as his successor and he will take up the director's at the organisation, formerly Scottish Print Employers Federation (SPEF), from today.

Hodgson said: "I am delighted to have been given the opportunity to move Graphic Enterprise Scotland forward.

"I will be seeking to expand the membership base to accommodate a broader constituency in line with its vision to achieve recognition as a cohesive and persuasive force in Scotland's creative industries sector."

In his year-end report to members at the company's AGM in Glasgow last week, Fairclough said the organisation had progress to make before realising this vision, but he said operations were now much leaner and more focused than ever on delivering value for members.

Fairclough, who originally took up the role over from Jim Raeburn in January 2007, said: "Bob is a great choice. I'm convinced that his knowledge of the industry and the people associated with it will be a real asset as the organisation pursues the strategy developed under my tenure.

"For me, I've made some really good friends in my time here."

Fairclough said he decided to move on in February and he will be based with Hodgson until September.

He is only the fifth director of the organisation since it was founded in 1910.