Gavin Scott, who joined the Freight Transport Association in 1977, has been appointed Head of Policy Scotland.

In the light of the growing and challenging transport agenda in Scotland, including the establishment of Transport Scotland and regional partnerships, Gavin will take on the full-time role of leading FTA's activities in Scotland. Now devoting all of his time to Scottish affairs, Gavin will relinquish his duties in the areas of Operator Licensing and other legal matters.

Gavin's role will be to extend FTA's influence in Scotland and to deepen relationships with key policy stakeholders in order to secure an improved working environment for road transport operators in Scotland.

FTA's Scottish office is based in Stirling.

Gavin will report to Chris Welsh, General Manager - Policy Campaigns.

Joan Williams has expanded her role in policy and representation at the Freight Transport Association. Williams, based at FTA's Scottish office in Stirling, will take full responsibility for all road freight and enforcement matters, including Operator Licensing.

As Head of Road Freight and Enforcement Policy, Joan will assume responsibility for liaison with VOSA, including all aspects of the Service Level Agreement and the Operator Compliance Risk Score.

Joan has long experience of FTA policy liaison with both the Department for Transport and the European Commission. She will continue to report to Chris Welsh, General Manager - Policy Campaigns.

In Brussels, Chris Yarsley becomes Manager - Brussels Office and Manager of Road Freight and Enforcement Policy.

Reporting to Joan Williams, this appointment recognises the importance of Brussels in the decision making process, in particular with regard to the upcoming consultation on access to the market, admission to the occupation, and cabotage. Chris will also look at the broader pan-European enforcement and foreign competition agenda.

FTA is to host a joint enforcement seminar with the IRU on 28 February.