The Scottish housing charity Hillcrest has appointed John Alexander as its next chief executive.

He will succeed Angela Linton, who is retiring after 30 years of service and more than a decade leading the charity.

Alexander, who will take up the post in the summer, is head of local authority engagement for the electricity network SSEN Transmission, a role he has held since August last year.

Before this, he was the leader of Dundee City Council for the Scottish National Party from May 2017 to August 2024. He has been a board member for NHS Tayside and a member of the National Advisory Council for Economic Transformation.

He has also been the chair of the collaborative organisation the Scottish Cities Alliance, a role he held for seven years until August 2024.

Hillcrest said Alexander would bring a “wealth of experience across a diverse range of sectors at a local and national level” and had a “proven track record of working to build thriving, inclusive communities”.

The charity said: “His deep understanding of the sector, combined with a strong commitment to social impact, aligns closely with Hillcrest’s mission to help people live better lives.”

Alexander said: “The organisation has a remarkable reputation for providing high-quality housing and a range of vitally important services within our communities, and I am deeply committed to supporting that work.”

Dave Boyle, chair of Hillcrest, said: “From the outset, it was clear that he [Alexander] understands the aim of our work – putting people first, investing in our communities and striving for positive change. We are confident that John will be an excellent chief executive.”