The new principal and chief executive of Carnegie College, Dunfermline, served in the first Gulf war and has a broad background in business.
Geoff Fenlon will take up his position at the end of April, succeeding Professor Bill McIntosh who has served in the post for the last six years.
More than 90 applications arrived at the college for the post, including interest from Asia and Australia.
Mr Fenlon joins Carnegie College having spent the last four years as general manager of the International Convention Centre (ICC) Birmingham.
He is also a former director of the Travel and Tourism National Training Organisation, a former director of Tourism People Scotland and was the founding Scottish chairman of People 1st, the UK Sector Skills for Council for Hospitality, Leisure, Travel and Tourism.
Mr Fenlon spent 13 years as a Royal Navy logistics officer. During this time he held various appointments, including lecturer at the Air Engineering School in Portsmouth.
During the first Gulf war he was awarded the Joint Commander’s Special Commendation for his role as JHQ naval administrator.
He said, “I am looking forward to building upon the strong foundation laid by Bill McIntosh and taking Carnegie College forward to even greater heights.”