Riverside Scotland is pleased to announce the appointment of Gary Naylor as its new Managing Director, effective from 8 September 2025.

Gary joins the organisation with extensive leadership experience across the UK housing sector. Most recently, he served as Chief Executive of Glasgow-based Thenue Housing and has held senior roles at Peaks & Plains Housing Trust, Irwell Valley Housing Association, and Wigan & Leigh Housing. His career has been defined by a commitment to values-led service, strategic innovation, and delivering community-focused housing solutions.

Gary succeeds Diana MacLean, who stepped down after four years of dedicated leadership. Diana played a pivotal role in strengthening Riverside Scotland’s operations and embedding a culture of tenant-focused service.

Commenting on his appointment, Gary said:

“I’m thrilled to be joining Riverside Scotland and the wider Riverside Group. I’ve long admired Riverside’s commitment to delivering high-quality housing and support services, and I look forward to working with the team to build on the strong foundation Diana has built over the past four years.

“This is a pivotal time for housing in Scotland, and I’m particularly excited about the opportunity to highlight and advance priorities that matter most to our communities here.”

Jim Strang, Chair of Riverside Scotland, welcomed Gary to the organisation:

“We’re absolutely delighted to welcome Gary as our new Managing Director. His experience, leadership and passion for tenant-focused services make him a perfect fit for Riverside Scotland. The Board and I look forward to working with Gary as we continue to grow and evolve.”

Liz Fairburn, Chief Customer Officer at Riverside, added:

“We warmly welcome Gary to the wider Riverside Group. He joins us at an exciting time as we shape our corporate strategy for the next five years. His deep sector knowledge and commitment to customer-focused leadership will be invaluable as we continue to strengthen our services and deliver meaningful impact across our communities.”

Outgoing Managing Director, Diana MacLean also shared her best wishes:

“It’s been a privilege to lead Riverside Scotland, working alongside a truly dedicated and passionate team. As I hand over the reins, I’m delighted to welcome Gary into the role. I know he’ll be supported by a fantastic group of colleagues both in Scotland and the wider Group, and I wish him every success as he leads Riverside Scotland into its next exciting chapter.”

Gary will be writing out to tenants in the coming weeks.