Alana Durnin

She joins Lar from Oak Tree and Cloch Housing Association where she also held the role of Finance Director.

Ms Durnin said: “Lar has a growing reputation in Scotland’s housing sector for addressing a real need for more quality mid-market rental homes. I was very taken with the organisation’s ethos as well as its proactive team approach, allied to its ambitious building programme and its willingness to take on difficult projects.

“Lar’s achievements and growth in a very short space of time are remarkable and were rightly recognised in the recent CIH awards scheme.”

Mrs Durnin has a business degree and MBA, both from The Open University, as well as an Advanced Diploma in Management Accounting from the global accounting body the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA).

Ann Leslie, Lar’s chief executive, says the appointment is an important step in strengthening the organisation for future growth.

She said: “Alana brings a wealth of relevant experience from her time working in the housing sector, with housing associations and at a local authority. This will be invaluable to us as we tackle an increasing number of complex projects around Scotland. We are delighted Alana has joined us and look forward to her strategic input going forward.”

Mrs Durnin is a past board member at the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA) and spent seven years as a non-exec director for Investors in People.