• Touchstone’s Chris Blair takes over as Chair from Bidwells’ Iain Murray
• Native Communities’ General Manager Holly Rodgers will serve as Vice Chair
• Newly appointed duo will deliver events, advocacy, lobbying and more in support of Scotland’s rental living sector

The Association for Rental Living (ARL) – the membership body for all institutionally backed, professionally managed purpose-built rental living sectors – has announced the appointment of a new Chair and Deputy Chair for its Scotland Hub Steering Group.

As of June 2026, Touchstone’s Associate Director Chris Blair will step into the role of Chair, while Native Communities’ General Manager Holly Rodgers will take up the position of Vice Chair.

Brendan Geraghty, CEO of the ARL, thanked outgoing Chair Iain Murray, who has headed up the Scotland Hub since May 2024, for his extensive work on behalf of the steering group along with Elaine Sommerville of Keppie Design. He comments:  “Iain has worked tirelessly in bringing together key living sector stakeholders in Scotland over the past two years and together with Elaine, proactively tackled the challenges and opportunities faced. I extend thanks to them on behalf of all those at the Association for Rental Living and our wider stakeholder group, particularly in relation to their significant contribution to Build to Rent’s exemption from rent caps in the Housing (Scotland) Bill.

“I’m also delighted to extend a warm welcome to Chris Blair and Holly Rodgers, who will now pick up the mantle and continue the Scotland Hub’s vital work showcasing best practices and addressing key operational and investment concerns or the rental living sector in the region.”

The ARL Scotland Hub delivers a diverse range of events in support of the local rental living sector, fostering collaboration and engaging in advocacy and lobbying to influence policy and regulatory decisions, while also promoting the sector as a whole.

Chris Blair will now lead this work as incoming Chair, in addition to his role as Associate Director at Touchstone, with responsibility for Operations in Scotland. Chris has spent the last eight years at Touchstone, in various roles spanning residential operational property management.

He will be supported by Vice Chair Holly Rodgers, whose experience encompasses the marketing, purpose-built student accommodation and Build to Rent industries.

Over the coming months, the duo will deliver a range of events, from in-depth panel discussions and social events to study tours. One key upcoming date for the diary is the Scotland Hub Summer Seminar and Social, which takes place in Glasgow on 27^th August 2026. Free for Association for Rental Living Members to attend, the event provides an opportunity to connect with industry peers, gain valuable market insights and enjoy an evening of informal networking. The focus will be on Scotland’s rapidly evolving single family housing sector, including key trends, investment activity, operational considerations and the opportunities that are driving growth.