Mr Russell was previously director of housing at Dunedin Canmore Housing Association where he worked for more than 30 years before stepping down in April.

He joins the housing and care provider from his currently position as senior policy manager at the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA) where he works on a part-time basis.

Bield’s current director of housing services, Amanda Miller, leaves on 31 July to take up the post of director of housing and care services at Eildon Housing Association.

Brian Logan, Bield’s chief executive, said: “Following Amanda’s resignation the Board agreed to create an interim post for a period of 9-12 months to allow us some time to develop our new 2016-21 Business Strategy further.

“There are a significant number of exciting and important pieces of work for Graeme and the Housing and Bield Response 24 Teams to progress in 2015-16 and I am confident that Graeme’s experience, sector knowledge and supportive approach will allow those work streams to be successfully advanced.

“Graeme is keen to get started and to meet as many people as possible over the coming weeks. We look forward to giving him a warm welcome as he starts in his new role.”

Graeme, who was selected following an open recruitment process will join Bield initially two-days per week from 27 July until his commitment with SFHA comes to an end in mid-August, whereupon he will take up the post full time.

Brian said: “I would like to formally record my sincere thanks to Amanda for her 19 years of dedicated service to Bield, our staff and most importantly, our tenants and service users.

“She will be much missed right across the organisation but she goes with a proud track record of achievement and our best wishes in her new post.”

@BieldScotland