Gordon leaves his role as chief executive of the Scottish Humanists Society to join the housing and homelessness charity.

He replaces Adam Lang, who has left to become head of NESTA in Scotland.

Graeme Brown, director of Shelter Scotland, said: “We are delighted to welcome Gordon back as head of communications and policy at Shelter Scotland. In his first stint here, he proved himself a passionate communicator and campaigner.

“I am sure he will make his mark on Shelter Scotland once more as we move into a new three-year strategy.”

Gordon MacRae said: “I am incredibly excited to be re-joining Shelter Scotland and to work once again with such a talented and committed team of campaigners.

“Shelter Scotland is a unique voice in Scottish public life and I look forward to making the case for how Scotland can tackle the ongoing national emergency that is Scotland’s housing crisis.”