BOARDROOM bosses at Ferguson's have told the Tele they will appoint a new chief executive to take over at the shipyard - 'at the right time'.

Directors signalled the plan today after Inverclyde MSP Stuart McMillan called for Tim Hair and the current management team to go, after the yard was snubbed for a multi-million pound Scottish ferries contract.

The politician insists 'change at the top' is needed if the yard is to move successfully into the future.

But it appears £790k-a-year Mr Hair will remain at the helm, for now.

A spokesperson for the board at Ferguson Marine said: “Over the past eighteen months, we have appointed a highly experienced and capable senior management team, with 130 years of combined shipbuilding experience.

"We have promoted talent within the business too, recognising skills, experience and commitment within the existing workforce.

"All of this is contributing towards our goal of building a competitive, sustainable shipyard business.

“It has been challenging, but significant progress has been achieved and it is vital to recognise and acknowledge the commitment and contribution of our entire workforce in reaching this stage and continuing to re-energise the shipyard.

"There remains a lot of work to do, both on the dual fuel ferries project and making further operational improvements, but we are optimistic about the future, securing the next vessel order and growing the business.

"A new chief executive will be appointed at the right time.

"We are making progress, but we are still in a period of post-administration recovery and the shipyard needs stability.”

Ferguson's put itself forward for a contract to build two new CalMac ferries for Islay - but did not make it through to the final tendering stage, with bids instead invited from four yards overseas.

Mr McMillan's call for a shake-up comes just weeks after Scottish finance secretary Kate Forbes visited the yard and said turnaround director Mr Hair was 'the best of the best'.

The local MSP said: "With the team of individuals who have been in there for the last two years, the organisation hasn't turned around in the way we would have wanted it to.

"The yard put in an expression of interest for the contract and for it not to be considered for the final stages, shows a failure of management.

"That now needs to be addressed.

"When Tim Hair took over the yard, there were five ships and it was chaos.

"Three of those ships are now gone but failing to win this contract has this has shown there are major failings.

"There needs to be a thorough auditing of what's going on and a change of management."

Mr McMillan says he has been 'engaging constructively' with people involved in Ferguson Marine and has heard concerns first-hand.

He added: "I speak to people in the yard and other stakeholders involved and it's clear that progress has been made.

"Failure to win this contract shows that there's something else going on."

The SNP man says the future of the yard is 'bigger than one person'.

He added: "We need to progress and take the yard to the next level and secure more orders.

"I don't believe the current management structure and the team can do that.

"There's plenty of work to happen but for the yard to get that work, it has to be in better shape.

"I am not just the local MSP.

"I grew up in Port Glasgow and my father worked in the yard before he passed away.

"My focus has always has been on securing a future for the yard, protecting the workforce, and getting the two current vessels being built, finished.

"I take absolutely no pleasure in making this call, but my loyalty first and foremost is to the yard and the workforce."

Meanwhile yard chiefs have pointed to other business avenues in the wake of the contract blow.

They said: "Scotland’s public sector ferries will, of course, continue to be future business targets for the shipyard, but they are not the sole focus.

"We believe there is a significant opportunity for contracts and business growth in the build of complex vessels in the 40 to 100m range, which includes offshore patrol vessels and service operation vessels.

"We are actively pursuing opportunities of this nature, which exist in Scotland and around the world, and we remain highly focused on completion of the dual fuel ferry project, which is a top priority."