A former business editor has joined the board of the Chamber of Commerce he used to cover for a regional daily.

Ryan Crighton, who was chief reporter and later business editor at Aberdeen daily the Press & Journal, has been appointed policy and marketing director of Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce.

Ryan, a former Young Journalist of the Year and Business Journalist of the Year at the Scottish Press Awards, left the P&J after being headhunted by law firm Aberdein Considine in 2014.

The 36-year-old is also a co-founder and director of Sovereign Grooming, a luxury barbering brand.

Ryan, pictured, said: “Over the past 17 years I have reported on, been a member of and worked alongside the AGCC in my various roles, and I have always been struck by how dedicated and passionate Russell and his team are about what they do.

“I’m looking forward to working with them to help Chamber members to do better business today, while helping create the economic conditions that will enable the future success of our region.

“I am also excited to be exploring new ways in which the organisation can help its members do more business with each other and the rest of the world in the years ahead.”

Russell Borthwick, chief executive of the Chamber, added: “Not only is Ryan a vastly experienced marketer and communicator, he has a very commercial mindset and is an entrepreneur at heart – so I’m confident our members will see the benefits of working with and having him on their side.”