A highly respected and active member of the Rutherglen community is set to take up the vacant position on the board of regeneration body Clyde Gateway URC.

Robert McLeary, the chair of Rutherglen and Cambuslang Housing Association, will be formally appointed to the Board at its next meeting on February 26 in Rutherglen Town Hall. Robert’s appointment will be the conclusion of a recruitment and selection process which set out to identify the most suitable candidate to represent community interests in the South Lanarkshire area.

The vacancy arose from the sudden death, in May 2017, of Tommy Rooney, a community stalwart who served with great distinction on the URC board for more than three years.

Jim Clark, the senior manager for communications and governance at Clyde Gateway, said: “The recruitment process undertaken in conjunction with our partners at South Lanarkshire Council led to a number of people with extensive knowledge and experience being put forward for consideration. We felt it would make sense to have the best of the candidates come in for an informal and friendly chat after which we agreed that Robert provided the best fit.

“It is great news that he has taken up the offer to join the Clyde Gateway Board, and all that remains now is for the Board to give formal approval to his appointment at its meeting next month.”

Robert, who enjoyed a lengthy career as a Chartered Surveyor before his retirement, has been active in the local community over the past four decades. He was a founder member of the Rutherglen and Cambuslang Housing Association in 1980 and has supported or been involved in an extensive range of community events including Landemer Day and Summerfest.

In addition to having a seat on the URC Board, Robert will also take up a position on the Community Committee alongside representatives from a number of key partner organisations including the Rutherglen-based Healthy’n’Happy Community Development Trust and the Burnhill Action Group.

Robert said: “I was thrilled to be given the opportunity to join the Board. Clyde Gateway has already made a big difference to Rutherglen and Shawfield over the past ten years but I know they have very ambitious plans to ensure the momentum is maintained. My key priority will be to help bring jobs and investment to the Burgh with as many opportunities as possible being given to local residents.

“I’m also keen to see how we can look to further develop the amazing asset at Cuningar Woodland Park and to ensure the continuity of the excellent relationships Clyde Gateway has with schools and community organisations.”

Robert joins what is a 13-strong board that is chaired by Lord Smith of Kelvin.