The Scottish Property Federation (SPF) has announced John Hamilton, chief executive of Winchburgh Developments, as its new chairman.

The new vice chair of the organisation will be Chris Stewart, chief executive of Chris Stewart Group.

Hamilton will formally replace outgoing chairman Alasdair Humphery, lead director of JLL Scotland at the SPF’s Annual Dinner, held last week at Edinburgh’s Balmoral Hotel, a sell-out event with over 300 attending from across the Scottish property industry.

Recently appointed as CEO of Winchburgh Developments, Hamilton has experience in mixed use housing, commercial and retail development, and specialises in urban regeneration.

With the upcoming UK General Election and further devolution of powers to the Scottish Parliament likely to dominate the political agenda over the coming year, he will work with SPF director David Melhuish and MSPs over the coming year to ensure the interests and success of Scotland’s property industry are maintained during a time of significant change.

The coming year will also see the implementation of the Land and Building Transaction Tax, increased energy efficiency demands for commercial and residential property development and commercial sales and leases, and major tenancy reform within the private rented residential sector.

David Melhuish, director at the Scottish Property Federation, said: “I am delighted to welcome John as our new chairman. The next year looks set to deliver a number of challenges as we face a UK General Election and rapid regulatory and tax change across a number of areas from tax to tenancy reform and increased energy efficiency standards. John’s breadth of experience across the property industry will be crucial in helping to promote and better the industry as we go forward into what will undoubtedly be a period of change.”

John Hamilton added: “I am honoured to be taking on the role of chairman and look forward to working with David Melhuish, Chris Stewart and the SPF membership to continue to represent the industry to the government with the aim of securing the best regulatory and tax environment that will support our industry and at the same time deliver the government’s key objective of delivering sustainable economic growth.”