18 September 2026
Riverside Scotland announces appointment of new Chair
Riverside news News article
Jim Strang steps down after five years of dedicated service as Kevin Coyle appointed successor
Riverside Scotland has announced that Chair Jim Strang has stepped down from the Board after five years of dedicated service, with fellow Board member Kevin Coyle appointed as the organisation's new Chair following a Special Board Meeting held after the September Annual General Meeting.
Image: Left to right; Jim Strang, former Chair, Gary Naylor, Managing Director and Kevin Coyle, newly elected Chair
Jim joined Riverside Scotland as Chair in September 2021 and has provided strategic leadership during a period of significant change across the housing sector. During his tenure, Riverside Scotland strengthened its focus on customer experience, tenant engagement and service improvement while maintaining strong governance and organisational stability.
A highly respected figure within Scottish housing, Jim has devoted more than four decades to improving lives through housing. He has held senior leadership positions across local government, housing associations and national housing bodies, and throughout his time at Riverside Scotland he championed a customer-focused approach that ensured tenants remained at the heart of decision-making.
Under Jim's leadership, Riverside Scotland continued to innovate and deliver high-quality services, including supporting the development of its pioneering Housing First for Families service and its award-winning work to tackle homelessness and improve energy efficiency. The organisation also achieved significant industry recognition, including a double success at the 2025 CIH Scotland Housing Awards and two Scotland Energy Efficiency Awards.
Taking on the role of Chair is Kevin Coyle, who joined the Riverside Scotland Board in June 2026. Kevin brings more than 30 years of leadership, transformation and governance experience gained across banking, consultancy and the third sector.
Kevin spent more than two decades in banking, holding senior leadership and board positions with HBOS and Lloyds Banking Group. These included serving as Chief Operating Officer of the group's bad bank, where he led major operational transformation and integration programmes. He later spent more than 10 years in management consultancy, leading large-scale transformation and change initiatives for organisations across the UK. He currently holds several non-executive positions, including supporting a youth homelessness charity in central Scotland and serving as a Non-Executive Director with people consultancy ConnectThree.
Riverside Scotland is also marking the departure of three long-serving Board members: Margaret Burgess, Jane Galbraith and Gerry Darroch.
Image: Left to right; Outgoing Chair and Board Members Jim Strang, Margaret Burgess, Jane Galbraith and Gerry Darroch
Together, they have made a significant contribution to the organisation's governance and success, bringing expertise spanning housing, public service, business development, customer advocacy and community engagement. Margaret and Gerry joined the Board in 2016, while Jane became a Board member in 2017. Their insight and commitment have played an important role in shaping Riverside Scotland's strategic direction and ensuring customers remain at the heart of decision-making.
"On behalf of everyone at the Riverside Group, I would like to thank Jim for the outstanding leadership, commitment and support he has given to the organisation over the past five years.
"Jim has been an exceptional Chair during a period of considerable change, helping to guide Riverside Scotland with integrity, wisdom and a clear focus on improving outcomes for tenants and communities. His passion for social justice, customer voice and tackling homelessness has left a lasting legacy, and we are enormously grateful for everything he has contributed.
"I would also like to thank Margaret, Jane and Gerry for their many years of dedicated service on our Board. Their experience, insight and unwavering commitment to our customers and communities have played an important role in shaping Riverside Scotland today, and we are extremely grateful for the contribution each of them has made.
"At the same time, I am delighted to welcome Kevin as our new Chair. Kevin brings a wealth of experience in transformation, governance and organisational leadership, as well as a strong commitment to supporting people and communities. His experience of leading complex change programmes and his insight gained through both executive and non-executive roles will be invaluable as we deliver our new five-year strategy, A Brighter Future Together.
"I look forward to working closely with Kevin as we continue to improve services, invest in our homes and strengthen our impact in communities across Scotland."
"It has been a privilege to serve as Chair of Riverside Scotland. I have been continually inspired by the dedication of colleagues, the strength of our partnerships and the resilience of the customers and communities we serve.
"I am extremely proud of what we have achieved together and I'm confident that Riverside Scotland is well placed for the future. I wish Kevin, Gary and the wider team every success as they continue their important work."
"I am honoured to be appointed Chair of Riverside Scotland and look forward to working with colleagues, tenants, Board members and partners across the organisation.
"Riverside Scotland has a strong reputation for delivering high-quality services and supporting its customers and communities. I am excited to build on the solid foundations established by Jim and the Board and to support the organisation in delivering its ambitions for the future."