The boss of publicly-owned ferry company Caledonian MacBrayne has said he is staying on, just months after announcing he would quit at the end of March.
Martin Dorchester said he wanted to remain at the helm to guide the firm through a Scottish Government review of ferry services announced by Transport Minister Humza Yousaf last week.
Mr Dorchester, who is managing director and chief executive of David MacBrayne Group, said the review would have been a “tough thing” for his successor to deal with had he stuck with his plan to step down.
He added that he had reached his decision to stay over the past month following discussions with the Minister.
Mr Dorchester led CalMac Ferries’ successful bid to retain the eight-year, £900million contract for the Clyde and Hebrides ferry services in the face of fierce competition from private sector rival Serco.
He also led a team which last year succeed in a joint bid with GBA for the £1billion contract to operate the Marchwood Military Port in Southampton for the next 35 years.
Announcing his decision in October to step down after five years in post, he said it was the time was right to “seek a new challenge.”
Yesterday he said: “As you will all be aware, Transport Minister Humza Yousaf announced last week that the government will be undertaking a review of Scottish ferry services.
“This review will include applicability of the Teckal exemption, which would potentially remove the requirement to put ferry services out to tender, and the management structures of David MacBrayne Limited (DML) and Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited.
“Having discussed the challenges and opportunities presented by this review with the DML Board and with the Transport Minister, I have taken the decision to stay in my current post and lead the organisation through this new chapter.”
He added: “I am excited by the opportunities presented by this review and very much look forward to continuing to work with my team and with all of our stakeholders to secure the best possible results for our employees, passengers and communities, as well as the taxpayer.”
Mr Dorchester said he was not concerned about the review, but, “it would be a tough thing for someone coming in now to start off with.”
“There are a lot of opportunities for a public company with the public contacts out there,” he added.
David McGibbon, chairman of David MacBrayne Ltd, said. “The board is delighted that Martin will stay to lead the group throughout what will be an important period.
“is experience, knowledge and leadership skills will be of great value.”