Stanley Morrice has been appointed chairman of Opportunity North East (ONE), succeeding Sir Ian Wood following his death in July.
The Fraserburgh-born businessman, who was awarded an MBE in 2022 for services to food, drink and agriculture, joined ONE in 2019 and has served on its board since 2020, including as vice-chairman.
ONE was established by Sir Ian in 2015 to support economic diversification across the north-east, with a focus on sectors including food and drink, agriculture and digital technology.
Mr Morrice, who is also vice-chairman of the £21million ONE SeedPod innovation hub at Craibstone, said: "We will carry on the work he began, with the same discipline and ambition he asked of us all."
Raised in a fishing family, Mr Morrice entered the food and drink sector as a school leaver, quickly taking the reins of regional retailer Aberness which ran 36 stores across Aberdeen and Inverness. He later went on to become managing director of the delicatessen firm McLeish Brothers.