Youth organisation Scouts Scotland has appointed Katie Docherty as its new chief executive. Docherty is currently head of charity services for Age Scotland and will transfer over to her new role on 6 June. She is the first female to take on the role, and replaces Jim Duffy who announced in December 2015 he was to leave his post after 19 years in charge. A former Labour Party policy, campaigns and events officer, Docherty joined the Anthony Nolan charity and spent nine years there as its head of regional and community fundraising and marketing, before joining Age Scotland in 2011.

Young Scot has appointed Mark McGeachie as partnerships and innovation director and depute chief executive. Mark was previously national lead for co-production and community capacity building with the Joint Improvement Team based at the Scottish Government, where he was seconded from the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations. He has worked in a range of roles in welfare, sport and funding with a significant period working in the third sector, particularly with The Robertson Trust. He is currently vice chair of Youth Scotland, having been on the board since 2011 and sits on the credit committee of Social Investment Scotland as well as being an external supervisor for the YMCA George Williams College in London for students completing degrees in community development and youth work.

The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) has appointed Laura-Jane Sheridan as development manager, taking strategic lead for the charity’s fundraising portfolio. Laura-Jane has held fundraising roles within the third sector for a number of years, working across a range of channels including corporate support, grants, legacies and individual giving.

Allan Bowie has been appointed chief financial officer and director of corporate services of the National Trust for Scotland. Allan, who was previously director of global operations accounting for the Bristow Group, will take charge of the Trust’s £50 million annual spending on Scotland’s heritage. His background is as a chartered accountant and among his previous posts, he has been finance director for both Babcock Rail and the Scottish Resources Group.