Rachel Doyle, who has an extensive track record in senior roles in the health and social care sector, and Alan Somerville, widely recognised for his expertise in the UK’s sustainability and property sectors, have joined the board of the housing charity.

Lar’s chair, Ken Macintosh, said: “I’m delighted to welcome Rachel and Alan to our board. They are both vastly experienced in their fields and will bring valuable expertise to Lar as we continue to grow and develop. We are at a strategically important time in our short history as we navigate the next stage of our funding and development.”

Ms Doyle currently serves as a director at Kingdom Support and Care and her career spans senior roles across the public, private, and regulatory sectors, including leadership of health & safety, wellbeing, risk management, emergency response, and business continuity functions.

Prior to her current role, she served as head of health and safety for the Scottish charity Enable. She is currently a trustee of the Carnegie UK Trust and the Carnegie Dunfermline and Hero Fund Trust.

Ms Doyle said: “This is an exciting opportunity to help steer an already impressive organisation. Lar’s commitment to making affordable homes a reality, benefits communities most in need across Scotland. I am particularly drawn to their values of commercial sustainability, customer focus, and professionalism.”

Mr Somerville is a chartered surveyor with more than 30 years’ experience in property investment, development, infrastructure and corporate strategy. His career includes senior leadership positions at Grosvenor, Scottish Resources Group, Cushman & Wakefield and Tritax Group, with extensive experience of major property developments, investment strategy, financing and long-term asset management.

He now works as an independent board-level adviser, supporting investors and organisations on real estate, infrastructure, investment performance and sustainability. He is also a member of court at Heriot-Watt University, where he chairs the Environment and Infrastructure Committee, and serves on the boards of Scottish social care charity Carr Gomm and Wilderness Foundation UK.

He said: “Having spent much of my career working in property investment and development in Scotland, I’ve seen first-hand the importance of good-quality, affordable housing to individuals, families and communities.

“What particularly appeals to me about Lar is its innovative approach to delivering affordable homes through a commercially sustainable model. With increasing pressures on development costs, funding and housing affordability, organisations like Lar have an important role to play in finding practical, long-term solutions.

“I’m delighted to be joining the board at this important stage in Lar’s development and look forward to bringing my experience in property investment, development and governance to support its future growth.”