Ian Grieve has been elected president of the Scottish Motor Trade Association for a term of two years. He joined its board in 2009 and was appointed vice-president earlier this year.

In his inaugural address at the SMTA annual dinner said: ”There is much to be done in moving the SMTA forward in terms of our public exposure and in the provision of services and benefits to members.

"The motor industry in Scotland faces many challenges in the coming years but, as a significant employer as well as a major contributor to the wealth of our nation, it is imperative the board seeks to maintain the SMTA at the forefront of the industry in Scotland and, perhaps elsewhere in the UK, and I intend to play my part in ensuring that is the case."

Grieve succeeds Sandy Burgess who spent five years as SMTA chairman.

Grieve has spent his working life in the retail motor industry and is currently the managing director of Ian Grieve (Falkirk) Ltd, the Subaru and Isuzu dealership in Camelon in Falkirk.

He joined SMT Sales & Service from school and remained there and with its successors Lex Service until 1991 when he acquired the Stirling based Vauxhall dealership from Lex.

In 1999 he acquired Devonvale Vauxhall in Alloa before adding the Falkirk Subaru/Isuzu dealership in 2005.

He sold the two Vauxhall dealerships to Arnold Clark Automobiles in 2007.