AN ALLOA business support service has recently hired a new CEO who brings a wealth of experience to the role.

Josie Saunders is the new chief executive officer at Ceteris, based in Alloa, having started her role on Tuesday, August 2.

A reputation management specialist, Josie has worked across the public, private and third sectors, at both executive and board level.

She joins Ceteris from Scottish Canals, the non-departmental public body which manages 140 miles of inland waterways.

Josie spent nine years working with partners, customers, users and other stakeholders, including Glasgow and Falkirk Councils, to drive the £500million regeneration of the Forth & Clyde Canal corridor in North Glasgow and deliver the £43m Kelpies, as well as the wider transformation around the Falkirk Wheel.

She also delivered marketing and communications which attracted 120k customers to The Falkirk Wheel and 3,500 transiting boats each year, promoted holiday accommodation.

Before joining Scottish Canals, Josie spent 10 years delivering sales, customer growth and brand identity for SMEs, FTSE100 companies, public bodies and charities across a diverse range of sectors, including First Direct Bank, ScottishPower, EMAP Global, Flybe, CBRE, the Scottish Government and NHS Scotland.

During this time, she also worked for Scottish Enterprise Forth Valley, supporting local business growth and building her knowledge of the opportunities and challenges across the region.

A trustee of Victim Support Scotland, Josie began her career as a news reporter for national newspaper titles, including The Herald.

Josie said: "I like working for organisations that do good things; particularly supporting communities that don't have the same economic opportunities as others and I love working with people who are committed and passionate about what they do. I can already see that Ceteris has both of these in spades.

"Ceteris has a fantastic reputation in Forth Valley, particularly Clackmannanshire, and certainly punches well above its weight in terms of what it achieves.

"I am excited to be part of such a dynamic business community and look forward to helping build on the success of both Ceteris and the region in the months and years ahead."

Visit ceteris.co.uk for more information on the services Ceteris provides.