Janice Russell joins the board of Homes for Scotland which supports its members to meet the nation’s housing needs and aspirations.

HFS chief executive Jane Wood said: “This is a crucial time, both for HFS as an organisation following the launch of our new 5-year strategy which seeks to have stakeholders unify around our overarching purpose of delivering more homes for the people of Scotland and for members and the sector more widely as the challenges they face continue to increase.

“It is imperative that the interdependencies between affordable and private housing delivery are recognised by civic society and government at all levels. Janice’s insight and experience will be vital in helping us articulate this key messaging.”

Mrs Russell, who took over the running of the £90 million turnover business earlier this year, said: “Housing construction is facing many challenges as we try to keep pace with the growing need for quality homes across all sectors and I’m delighted to be given an opportunity to collaborate with leading sector figures on how to best tackle those issues.

“I hope my experience, insight and knowledge can add value to both the board and the organisation’s members.”

• Read more: Construction Leader: Janice Russell takes the reins at McTaggart

McTaggart Construction specialises in quality affordable homes and was crowned Scotland’s large apprentice employer of the year in the 2023 Skills Development Scotland awards.

Mrs Russell added: “One of the key sector issues we face is a shortage of staff and, as a company, McTaggart Group is proactive in working with local communities to develop the careers of young people in, giving them life-changing opportunities as well as training the skilled workforce of the future.”

The chartered surveyor and project manager (MRICS) has been with the family-owned firm for 13 years and has more than 30 years’ experience within property and construction, specialising in housing.

Mrs Russell moved from her native Northern Ireland to study land engineering at Newcastle Polytechnic (now Northumbria University) before studying land economics at the University of Ulster. She started her career in the social housing sector, working as a surveyor for a housing association in the north of England before spells at Cruden Homes and CCG.