Alex Salmond has paid tribute to the Chief Executive of energy firm SSE, following the news that he is to step down.

Ian Marchant will finish his post at the group during the summer and will be replaced by Alistair Phillips-Davies, who is deputy Chief Executive at SSE.

Mr Marchant will step down following ten years in the job.

The First Minister said: "Ian has shown outstanding leadership as chief executive of SSE over the last decade, creating investment and jobs across the country, while at the same growing a successful business. He has played an active role in our Scottish Energy Advisory Board, where I have seen first hand, not only his determination to challenge the status quo, but also his drive to galvanise action around the important issues of the day.

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"He has been a key figure in driving forward Scotland’s ambitions to be a world leader in renewable energy and showed further leadership in bringing together an impressive range of business, public sector and third sector leaders in the 2020 Climate Group, to collaborate on real actions to help reduce emissions across Scotland. I want to thank Ian for his substantial contributions, both as CEO of SSE and in his other roles in public life in Scotland, and wish him well in his future endeavours."

Mr Salmond added: "I would like to congratulate Alistair Phillips-Davies on becoming chief executive of one of Scotland’s great companies and biggest employers, and wish him every success in that role. Alistair is already a well-kent face at SSE and I am confident that with him at the helm, SSE has a bright future. The Scottish Government will continue to work with SSE to help transform our energy industry, create jobs and deliver sustainable economic growth in communities across Scotland, and I personally look forward to working with Alistair to that end."