Jim Strang joined Riverside Scotland as chair in September 2021 and has provided strategic leadership during a period of significant change for the housing sector and the organisation. Under his leadership, Riverside Scotland has strengthened its focus on customer experience, tenant engagement and service improvement while maintaining strong governance and organisational stability.

A highly respected figure within Scottish housing, Jim has dedicated more than four decades to improving lives through housing, holding senior leadership positions across local government, housing associations and national housing bodies. Throughout his tenure at Riverside Scotland, he has championed a customer-focused approach, ensuring tenants remain at the heart of decision-making.

His leadership has helped create the conditions for innovation and service excellence, including support for Riverside Scotland’s pioneering Housing First for Families service and its award-winning approach to tackling homelessness and improving energy efficiency.

During his time as chair, Riverside Scotland secured multiple industry awards, including a double win at the 2025 CIH Scotland Housing Awards and two Scotland Energy Efficiency Awards.

Taking over as chair is Kevin Coyle, who joined the Riverside Scotland board in June 2026. Kevin brings extensive leadership, transformation and governance experience gained over a career spanning more than 30 years across banking, consultancy and the third sector.

Kevin spent more than 20 years in banking, holding senior leadership and board roles within HBOS and Lloyds Banking Group, including serving as chief operating officer of the group’s bad bank, where he led significant operational transformation and integration activity. He later spent over a decade in management consulting, leading large-scale transformation and change programmes for organisations across the UK.

He currently holds a number of non-executive roles, including supporting a youth homelessness charity in central Scotland and serving as a non-executive director with people consultancy ConnectThree.

Riverside Scotland is also marking the departure of three long-serving board members, Margaret Burgess, Jane Galbraith and Gerry Darroch, who have each made a significant contribution to the organisation’s governance and success.

Together, they have brought a wealth of expertise from housing, public service, business development, customer advocacy and community engagement, helping to shape Riverside Scotland’s strategic direction and ensuring customers remain at the heart of decision-making. Margaret and Gerry both joined the Board in 2016, while Jane became a board member in 2017, providing many years of dedicated service and commitment to Riverside Scotland and its customers.

Gary Naylor, managing director at Riverside Scotland, said: “On behalf of everyone at the Riverside Group, I would like to thank Jim for the outstanding leadership, commitment and support he has given to the organisation over the past five years.

“Jim has been an exceptional chair during a period of considerable change, helping to guide Riverside Scotland with integrity, wisdom and a clear focus on improving outcomes for tenants and communities. His passion for social justice, customer voice and tackling homelessness has left a lasting legacy, and we are enormously grateful for everything he has contributed.

“I would also like to thank Margaret, Jane and Gerry for their many years of dedicated service on our board. Their experience, insight and unwavering commitment to our customers and communities have played an important role in shaping Riverside Scotland today, and we are extremely grateful for the contribution each of them has made.

“At the same time, I am delighted to welcome Kevin as our new chair. Kevin brings a wealth of experience in transformation, governance and organisational leadership, as well as a strong commitment to supporting people and communities. His experience of leading complex change programmes and his insight gained through both executive and non-executive roles will be invaluable as we deliver our new five-year strategy, A Brighter Future Together.

“I look forward to working closely with Kevin as we continue to improve services, invest in our homes and strengthen our impact in communities across Scotland.”

Jim Strang said: “It has been a privilege to serve as chair of Riverside Scotland. I have been continually inspired by the dedication of colleagues, the strength of our partnerships and the resilience of the customers and communities we serve.

“I am extremely proud of what we have achieved together and I’m confident that Riverside Scotland is well placed for the future. I wish Kevin, Gary and the wider team every success as they continue their important work.”

Kevin Coyle said: “I am honoured to be appointed chair of Riverside Scotland and look forward to working with colleagues, tenants, board members and partners across the organisation.

“Riverside Scotland has a strong reputation for delivering high-quality services and supporting its customers and communities. I am excited to build on the solid foundations established by Jim and the Board and to support the organisation in delivering its ambitions for the future.”