Dorry McLaughlin will assume Lord Foulkes’ previous role of vice-chair.

George Foulkes has been appointed as the new chairman of the board of trustees at Age Scotland.

The Labour peer, who previously served as vice-chair of the charity, said he was “honoured” to take up the role.

He will be supported by new vice-chair Dorry McLaughlin, the chief executive of sheltered housing provider Viewpoint.

Lord Foulkes said, “I am honoured to be chosen as chair of Age Scotland at this crucial time.

It’s great to have George as the chairman of our board of trustees. He has supported Age Scotland brilliantly during his time as a trustee

“In the ‘70s I was director of Age Concern Scotland so will be returning to an area of special interest for me.

“In view of this new responsibility I will be spending less time on party activity. In the House of Lords I am now on the select committee on charities and the all-party group on older people which will be taking up more of my time.”

Age Scotland chief executive Brian Sloan welcomed the appointments.

He said: “It’s great to have George as the chairman of our board of trustees. He has supported Age Scotland brilliantly during his time as a trustee and latterly as vice-chair.

“He brings a wealth of experience of the public, private and third sectors and we look forward to developing Age Scotland work under George’s leadership of our board.

“I too welcome Dorry to her new role. Her passion for delivering the highest quality care and new initiatives to tackle the complex health problems that older people face gives her a brilliant position from which to direct Age Scotland’s work.”

Ms McLaughlin said she was “delighted” with her new role.

She added: “I know from my work the importance of supporting older people in care homes to not just provide quality care, but quality of life.

“Age Scotland is helping to deliver this message across Scotland to ensure that all older people, no matter of their circumstances, can love later life.”