The LAR Housing Trust, which was set up six months ago to help tackle the shortage of mid market rental properties in Scotland, has appointed Andrew Robertson as its new chairman.

Robertson, who recently stepped down after eight years as chairman of Greater Glasgow and Clyde NHS board, is a well-known figure in the housing sector. A lawyer by profession, he spent almost 40 years at social housing and charity law practice TC Young.

He said of his appointment: “LAR is leading the way in helping tackle one of the major housing issues we face in Scotland and I’m delighted to lead a strong team of Trustees. We aim to make a lasting and positive impact on the housing sector over the next five years.”

His other current non-exec roles and appointments include Carers Champion for Glasgow, vice president of the Carers Trust and chairman of the Erskine Hospital. In the past he has enjoyed leadership roles at the Scottish Building Society, three NHS Trusts, the Princess Royal Trust for Carers and various community development organisations.

Other board appointments include former KPMG corporate financier Uilleam Cameron, who is currently a partner at Jenson Solutions, providing finance and procurement advice to start up companies and infrastructure projects in the the transport, energy and utilities sectors. He is also a specialist adviser to the Credit Committee of Social Investments Scotland. He is joined by former Scottish Enterprise senior director Pamela Woodburn, a fellow of the Institute of Housing and currently major partnership manager with Voluntary Services Overseas and vice chair of the Court of Edinburgh Napier University.

The line up is completed by Barry White, chief executive of Scottish Futures Trust, which was set up by the Scottish Government to deliver value for money across public sector infrastructure investment and LAR’s chief executive Ann Leslie, formerly a partner in one of Scotland’s leading law firms.