The Scottish Public Relations Consultants Association has appointed Nora Farrell, managing director of Weber Shandwick in Scotland and Northern Ireland, as its new chair.

Andrew Jarvie, associate director of Edinburgh-based PR consultancy Harrison Cowley, will take up the role of vice-chair of the trade body. The duo have been appointed for two years and their key aims are to further promote the organisation to both PR communities and the wider Scottish business community.

Farrell said: "The PR industry in Scotland is solid and, despite the current economic situation, consultancies are continuing to grow. Over the next year, we aim to increase our membership numbers. We have established a smaller associate status to enable smaller, fledgling companies to join and benefit from training and networking initiatives."