Calum MacPherson guided the project through its set-up and on into its delivery phase.
Britain's ambassador to Japan tells BBC Scotland News the free flow of goods between the nations "really matters".
Japanese firm Mitsui says it will spend hundreds of millions of pounds on the Port of Nigg on Cromarty Firth.
Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport has reached the final stage of a five-year planning process.
Mitsui, formerly a minor investor in the Port of Nigg, has completed a full takeover from the Global Energy Group.
Global Energy has set out its plans for Nigg in a document to Highland Council.
Highland Council hopes to secure more grant assistance for services across its region.
The proposed redevelopment of Port of Nigg site has attracted public money.
The facility at Port of Nigg is in the running to manufacture a 205-mile long link for wind farms.
