One of the UK housing sector’s most eminent figures, Professor Paddy Gray, has been appointed to the board of Wheatley Group. Gray, professor emeritus of housing at the University of Ulster, was recently named the top Power Player in the UK housing sector by 24 Housing magazine. The academic is regarded as an authority on housing strategy and social policy, nationally and internationally, having served on advisory groups for the Northern Ireland Executive, UK government and Northern Ireland Assembly.

RSPB Scotland, the country’s largest wildlife conservation charity, has appointed a new director. Anne McCall will become the organisation’s first female leader when she takes up the post on 30 May. Anne has already been with the RSPB for nearly 19 years, having joined in 1998 as a member of the society’s planning team, working on cases like the Lingerbay superquarry, Lewis windfarm and the inquiry into the Trump golf course in Aberdeenshire. Most recently she held the role of regional director for south and west Scotland, overseeing 100 members of staff and delivering partnership projects at a landscape scale. Anne replaces Stuart Housden, who has been at the helm since 1994.

A disability charity has announced its new chief executive. Linda Gray will now lead Inspire’s senior management team, having been its director of corporate services since 2012. The charity runs a wide range of services for people with learning disabilities and additional support needs throughout the north-east of Scotland. Gray said: “I am delighted with my recent appointment. Empowering the life choices of the people we support is a great passion of mine and to be afforded the responsibility to lead the organisation in achieving this vision is a great opportunity and privilege.”