THE Scottish Property Federation (SPF) has appointed a new chairman – the managing director of CBRE in Scotland and Northern Ireland, Miller Mathieson.

He took over from Andrew Sutherland, joint managing director of Miller Developments, after a spell as vice-chairman and will use the role to champion progress in three key areas.

Miller said he will continue making the case that Scotland must do more to attract investment in the real estate sector; develop the SPF’s relationship with policymakers; and encourage greater diversity in the industry.

SPF director David Melhuish said: “Scottish real estate remains attractive to overseas investors, but longer-term political and economic uncertainty has the potential to impact investor appetite. We must act to counter any such loss of confidence, through retaining positive and stable legal and tax systems that support the sector.”

Mathieson added: “Earlier this year the SPF, in conjunction with the Fraser of Allander Institute, determined that Scotland’s commercial real estate industry contributes almost £4.8 billion to the Scottish economy and supports more than 92,000 jobs.

“Therefore, it’s vital that policymakers continue to recognise the value of Scotland’s real estate, and the need to attract further investment to allow the industry to go on providing this economic boost, as well as the places to live, work and enjoy.”