MALVERN technologist Dr Vishal Nayar has been appointed the new chairman of the ICT Cluster Opportunity Group.

The group is the private sector-led strategic advisory body for the Information & Communica-tions Technology industry in the West Midlands.

Dr Nayar is employed by the Malvern-based defence and technology company QinetiQ as general manager for technology strategy, and he also has a role as business manager, Japan, promoting electronics and information technologies.

He succeeds Chris Gollings, of Grange Associates, a consultancy in IT Outsourcing, who has chaired the group since it was formed in 2003.

Dr Nayar said: "The ICT COG members are a proactive group and Chris's chairmanship successfully established the approach of the group in delivering AWM's cluster goals. I am sure that AWM and the COG appreciate the leadership, time and effort from Chris."

The private sector representatives give their time free of charge to the ICT COG, which provides strategic advice on investment decisions.