A former chair of the Scottish Federation of Housing Association (SFHA), Ms Forsyth was chief executive of Berwickshire Housing Association (BHA) for 13 years before her retiral in 2020.

She joined BHA from Places for People in 2007 and was previously chief executive at Edinvar Housing Association. Her background has, over the years, involved working in the public sector, health and social care and not-for-profit organisations.

Ms Forsyth has also been chair of two community organisations and is chair of the Traverse Theatre in Edinburgh. She was also a member of the Scottish Committee of the Lottery Fund, chair of Resilient Scotland supporting social enterprises and was involved in the South of Scotland Economic Partnership.

Alistair Cameron, Duncan McConchie and Jeremy Sainsbury OBE were also reappointed as SOSE board members.

Alistair Cameron has built his career in the life and chemical sciences sector, scaling a home-based business to becoming a major local employer, exporting to 32 countries worldwide. He understands the challenges and opportunities being faced by small businesses. Having worked in a variety of international markets, Alistair is aware of how others see the south of Scotland and the opportunities that can be exploited as a centre for opportunity and growth. He is an advocate for neurodiversity and mental health awareness in the workplace and leads the SOSE Just Transition Committee looking to ensure equity of opportunity for all people as the economy is transformed by new low carbon technologies.

Duncan McConchie transformed his family farm in Galloway with the creation of on-site accommodation, wedding and conference venue and hillside kitchen/bistro. Along with his wife, they employ over 100 people. His aim is to create new opportunities, structure the business to sustain future generations on the land and focus on becoming a carbon positive organisation. Duncan also co-founded the Scottish Wedding Industry Alliance in order to give the industry a voice during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Jeremy Sainsbury OBE is a Director of Natural Power Consultants which is a renewable energy company employing people in five international markets. He has lived in Dumfries and Galloway for 34 years and understands the energy potential of the South of Scotland in achieving a ‘just transition’ to net zero. He has extensive knowledge in land and forestry, managing land and forest assets in the South of Scotland for ten years.

The reappointments will be for four years and run from 9 March 2024 to 8 March 2028.