West of Scotland Housing Association has elected Ruth Simpson as chair of its management committee. The former Glasgow councillor and city treasurer will lead the committee of 15 including eight tenant members. Ruth has been a member of the Management Committee since 2012. The committee also elected Lanarkshire tenant Ann Reid as vice chair and welcomed four new committee members.

The Marine Conservation Society has announced the appointment of Hugh Raven as its new chairman. Hugh has a background of leadership roles in the environmental sector, chairing the Environmental Funders’ Network and formerly directing the Soil Association in Scotland. He was a member for Scotland of the UK Sustainable Development Commission, advising the Prime Minister and First Ministers of the devolved nations, and a board member of Scottish Natural Heritage and the RSPB. He’s currently a trustee of the John Ellerman Foundation, a director of Corrour Estate, and chair of the Open Seas Trust. He replaces outgoing Chairman Martin Spray CBE.

Theatre critic Joyce McMillan has been named as Scottish Environment Link’s new president. She has been a journalist and political commentator for more than 30 years, writing for The Scotsman, Scotland On Sunday, The Herald and The Guardian, and broadcasting regularly on the radio. From 2001-2004 she was convener of the Scottish Civic Forum. Throughout her working life, she has been involved in both Scottish and international campaign for peace, democracy and human rights. At Environment Link, she replaces former MSP Ross Finnie.

Chris Creegan, new chair ofScottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH), is a powerful advocatefor mental health. Chris joined the board in 2013 and is currently chief executiveof the Scottish Consortium for Learning Disability. He brings a wealth ofexperience to the role having previously served on a number of charitableboards including Scottish Adoption where he was chair from 2008-15.