Former VisitScotland chair Dr Mike Cantlay will now chair Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) following his appointment by the Scottish government.

Cantlay will oversee the public body, which aims to improve Scotland’s natural heritage through education and sustainability, for the next three years.

His stewardship of the organisation will run through to 14 May 2020.

He will be expected to commit to 10 days a month of SNH duty, and the appointment will be regulated by the Commissioner for Ethical Standards in Public Life in Scotland.

Roseanna Cunningham, the Scottish government’s cabinet secretary for the Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform, appointed Cantlay.

She said skills he obtained in previous public sector roles “will bring a wealth of experience to the organisation”, and help the SNH “promote Scotland’s natural heritage and help equip it in responding to current and emerging challenges”.

Challenges such as combating climate change, tackling wildlife crime, restoring peatlands and “encouraging people to get out and enjoy nature” were referenced by Cunningham.

Prior to his appointment, Cantlay chaired VisitScotland between 2010 and 2016.

He has also chaired organisations such as Scottish Enterprise Forth Valley, the Board of Management at Forth Valley College, and is an advisory member of the Board of Scottish Enterprise and VisitBritain.

In addition to his new role, Cantlay will continue to chair Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd, which is responsible for 11 airports across Scotland, and will remain as chair and managing director of William Glen Ltd, which operates tourism, leisure and retail interests in Scotland, Canada and the US.