THE boss of Scotland’s biggest ferry group has changed his mind about leaving, four months after saying he would quit.

Martin Dorchester was the man who steered state-owned ferry company Caledonian MacBrayne to land a new £900 million contract.

He took over five years ago – after previous experience with Argos and B&Q.

But in October he said he was to quit in March. He said he felt the time was right to go after securing the new eight-year Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services contract for CalMac – when it beat off the challenge of Serco.

Mr Dorchester, CalMac’s managing director – and chief executive officer for the parent David MacBrayne Group – said he had changed his mind, mainly because the EC had signalled that the routes may not have to be put out to tender in future.

“As you will all be aware, Transport Minister Humza Yousaf announced last week that the government will be undertaking a review of Scottish ferry services.

“Having discussed the challenges and opportunities presented by this review with the DML Board and with the Transport Minister, I have taken the decision to stay in my current post and lead the organisation through this new chapter.”