DORSET Business, the chamber of commerce and industry, has appointed a new chief executive following the departure of Tony Bridger.

Peter Scott, 54, is a business consultant with a background in agribusiness, manufacturing, and trade associations.

He was chosen from 50 applicants who had been whittled down to a shortlist of "very impressive" candidates.

Chamber president Gordon Page said: "His excellent credentials and local knowledge will enable him to hit the ground running - just what we want."

Peter Scott has been leading the Arts Institute at Bournemouth's £3.5 million Enterprise Pavilion project, providing start-up facilities for new creative businesses.

As an expert in strategic planning and organisational change, he has also been working with Southwell Business Park, Portland; the South West Regional Develop-ment Agency (SWRDA) and the Common-wealth Business Council.

Previous posts included:

European vice president for AMCOT (the US cotton producers' cooperatives);

a partner in his own textiles consultancy practice;

president of the Liverpool Cotton Association;

consultant to Caribbean governments on developing their cotton industry;

chief executive of the Confederation of Paper Industries.

The last of these positions involved lobbying the UK government on environmental and energy issues, as well as collective bargaining with paper industry trades unions.

Mr Scott returned eight years ago to live in New Milton, his birthplace.

"My first task will be to prioritise the issues as they relate to the needs of the existing and potential membership of Dorset Business," he said.

"We will continue to raise our profile with Dorset businesses, and work towards achieving a stronger presence in Westminster and Brussels."

Dorset Business, formerly known as the DCCI, is "the independent voice of businesses in Dorset". It is a fully accredited member of the British Chambers of Commerce.