Cruden Group company Hart Builders has announced the appointment of Gill Henry, business development director, to its Executive Board.

As the construction industry face challenging times, Hart Builders said it has made increasing the number of women in the construction industry a priority.

Colin MacDonald, managing director of Hart Builders, said: “Over the last four years, Gill’s knowledge and experience in the delivery of new build affordable housing has added significant value to our business.

“Her appointment to the Board of Hart Builders acknowledges her hard work and also her role in several housing related charitable projects, which she has led on behalf of the Cruden Group. This includes the recently launched Social Bite Village in Edinburgh. Gill is also extremely committed to encouraging women into the construction industry, so it is particularly fitting that she is the first female director to achieve this position.”

Gill Henry added: “Having enjoyed working closely with Hart Builders for many years as a client, joining the business four years ago as Head of Business Development was a natural move for me.

“Hart Builders ethos and genuine commitment to partnering, it’s staff team and the wider Cruden Group support - offer the chance to work with clients in a unique and pro-active way.

“The need for affordable housing of all tenures has never been higher or further up the political agenda. A home is a basic human need but affordability, technological innovation, demographic shifts and regulatory requirements are changing the housing development and construction landscape on an almost daily basis. I am really delighted to be appointed to the Hart Board at such an exciting time and look forward to driving the business forward and responding to the challenges the industry faces.”