Janice Russell has been promoted to managing director of Ayrshire family business McTaggart Construction, replacing Gary Climson who becomes executive chairman.

Ms Russell, a chartered surveyor and project manager, has more than 30 years’ experience within property and construction, specialising in housing.

The chair has been vacant since Ross McTaggart retired from the Dalry-based business in 2017 after 52 years service. A new board emerged after a management buy-out two years ago, led by Ally and Rosslyn Anderson, who is part of the McTaggart family.

Mr McTaggart and Mr Climson, who has worked in the business for nearly 30 year, sold their stakes in the firm to the management team.

The McTaggart Group, founded in 1946, employs about 330 people across six businesses, the largest being McTaggart Construction. The others include Laurel Homes.

McTaggart Construction builds more than 750 homes each year, 90% of which are for the affordable housing sector. Turnover for the year to the end of March 2022 hit a record £89 million.