Shulah Allan MBE will be confirmed as convener of the Scottish Council for Organisations this afternoon, taking over from Alison Elliot who has come to the end of her six-year term.

Allan was awarded an MBE for services to the voluntary sector in 2010 and is a former chief executive of the Edinburgh Voluntary Organisations Council.

She said: “I particularly hope to have opportunities to ensure that the sector’s varied work, its interests and the knowledge and experience which lie within it are promoted and increasingly recognised and valued.”

She retired in 2010 and is currently vice-chair of the Lothian Health Board.

Martin Sime, chief executive of SCVO, said: “Alison has been a fantastic ambassador for the last six years in raising the profile of the third sector at all levels. We owe her a lot. Shulah has had a long and distinguished career in our sector and takes up the convenership at a challenging time for us all.”

SCVO’s 70th AGM summit takes place today and as well as Allan’s appointment, Meg de Amasi from Central Scotland African Union and Michelle McCrindle from Food Train and Gordon MacRae from Shelter Scotland compete for two board places.

The umbrella body's management board is responsible for the strategic direction of the charity. It comprises of six members who are directly elected by the membership at the AGM, three officers (the SCVO convener, vice-convener and treasurer) and no more than two co-opted members.