Former MSP takes up comms post

A FORMER MSP has been appointed the new communications manager at the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisers.

Mark Ballard was, until May last year, a Green MSP for the Lothians, after having been elected to the Scottish Parliament four years previously.

He succeeds Gavin Yates, who has left to work for the Scottish Labour Party.

Since last year’s election, Ballard had been working for the Edinburgh Community Food Initiative, developing a new business plan and advising on communications.