Lorimer, who will continue in his role as chef director of Catering At Your Convenience, said: “Rob has done a superb job and I will be continuing his efforts by working collaboratively across the Scottish hospitality industry to keep adding value for our members via professional development, networking and education.”

Lorimer has 45 years of international hospitality catering experience, having worked as a logistic food supply officer for both the British Army and the United Nations Forces. For 10 years he was executive chef for Unilever Foodsolutions and he is now the chef director of his own company which specialises in nutritional recipe and menu development for healthier food and specialist diets.

Outgoing chairman Rob Moore, director of Edinburgh-based Xpress Recruitment, added: “I have no doubt that Ray will continue to achieve great things for our membership as well as our industry thanks to his knowledge, skill and determination.”

The Institute of Hospitality is the professional body for individual managers and aspiring managers working and studying in the hospitality, leisure and tourism industry.