Former SSE boss Ian Marchant appointed Cyberhawk director

Image caption, Mr Marchant stepped down as chief executive of SSE earlier this year after more than 10 years in charge

Former SSE chief executive Ian Marchant has been appointed a non-executive director of aerial "drone" firm Cyberhawk Innovations.

Mr Marchant, who is chairman of the Energy Institute, left SSE in the summer after 10 years at the helm.

Livingston-based Cyberhawk specialises in aerial inspection services using small unmanned aerial vehicles.

The firm said Mr Marchant's experience would help it grow in the oil and gas, renewable energy and utilities sectors.

Cyberhawk's Remotely Operated Aerial Vehicles (ROAV) are used to conduct close visual and thermal inspections of industrial assets such as flares, utility transmission towers and wind turbines.

Last month it secured investment of 拢1.25m from venture capital firm Scottish Equity Partners (SEP) and the Scottish Investment Bank.

Its clients already include Shell, SSE, ConocoPhillips, Total and Statoil.

'Vote of confidence'

Speaking about Mr Marchant's appointment, Cyberhawk chairman Aubrey Thompson said: "The recent equity investment positions us to better serve our growing customer base worldwide.

"We are now strengthening the board to give us greater insight into our customer needs and expectations.

"Ian's decision to join our board as a non-executive director is a huge vote of confidence from someone who is recognised nationally and internationally as a leader in the energy industry."