A new board has been appointed at the helm of the nationalised Ferguson Marine shipyard

Six new directors have joined, including a non-executive chairman.

Management say the team will bring a 'wealth of diverse and extensive experience' to the Port Glasgow operation as it looks to emerge strongly from the Caledonian MacBrayne ferries fiasco.

Scottish Government economy secretary Fiona Hyslop recruited the new non-executive director team in a bid to set the yard on a course for success.

Master mariner Alistair Mackenzie is the new chairman, having spent 35 years working in senior roles within the oil and gas industry

Mr Mackenzie is also the current chairman of Aberdeen Harbour Board and joint owner of Mentor Aviation Services, a subsidiary of the Ace Dgm group of companies.

John Hudson CBE, recently retired as BAE Systems maritime managing director, also joins the Ferguson's board, along with Alan J Johnstone CBE, managing director of helicopter manufacturer AgustaWestland UK. Mr Johnstone has also established management teams in both shipbuilding and aerospace during his career.

Robert MacKenzie, a board member of Crown Estate Scotland who also spent 25 years as a business technology and consulting partner at at accountancy firm Scott-Moncrieff, is another new addition.

He has has been chairman of the Scott-Moncrieff board for the last four years.

Alison Mitchell, a chartered fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development, and a non-executive board member of NHS Lothian, has also been welcomed on to the board at the Newark yard.

Mrs Mitchell is also a lay member of the Judicial Appointments Board of Scotland.

Stuart N Mitchell, a fellow of the Royal Institution of Naval Architects will also take a seat on the new board.

He has 35 years of leadership experience in oil and gas subsea contracting.

Dr Mitchell bring with him extensive experience of the design and build of specialist ships, as well as knowledge of shipyards around the world.

Cabinet Secretary Ms Hyslop said: "I am delighted that we have been able to appoint six non–executive members to the Ferguson Marine board of directors.

"They have all shown motivation, commitment to the business and its future, along with a full understanding of the history and context of why the Scottish government has taken ownership.

"The combined skills of the board will help ensure that Ferguson's is in the strongest position to continue with critical restructuring and development over the next 12 to 18 months."

Tim Hair, who is the turnaround director at Ferguson Marine, said: "The appointment of Alistair as chairman and the other non-executives is another milestone on Ferguson's journey to becoming a normal business.

"I would like to welcome them to the board and look forward to working with them to build a bright future for the shipyard."