The Building & Engineering Services Association has named Paul McLaughlin as its new chief executive.

He is a first-class honours graduate in electronics and electrical engineering from the University of Glasgow and started his career with international food group Mars, rising to be manufacturing manager at the company’s confectionery production facility in Slough, Berkshire.

Mr McLaughlin then spent 12 years with the soft drinks manufacturer Coca-Cola, where he held senior positions in operations, innovation and quality assurance, before becoming the company’s commercialisation director for North West Europe.

Then in January 2008, he became chief executive officer of the newly established trade association Scotland Food and Drink, attracting more than 200 corporate members over the three years that followed and delivering an industry-wide strategy for growth.

Since 2011, Mr McLaughlin has served as managing director of a specialist food business based in the West of Scotland, as well as undertaking a range of consultancy projects. He has also been a member of a Scottish Enterprise regional advisory board, and a trustee of a national charity.

B&ES president Jim Marner said that the Council of the Association had been impressed by Mr McLaughlin’s “strategic and operational ability, business know-how and stakeholder engagement”.

“I believe that Paul has the skills and talents required to address the challenges currently faced by B&ES and the sector it represents and I look forward to working with him in the months and years to come.”

Mr McLaughlin said: “B&ES has a long and distinguished history, and I am determined to work with its members and staff to ensure that it remains entirely relevant to needs of the membership and the building engineering services sector.”

Paul McLaughlin will take up his post on Tuesday 25 August.