New chair of Blairgowrie and Rattray Development Trust elected

Date: Monday 12 February

Blairgowrie and Rattray Development Trust (BRDT) has announced the appointment of a new chair.

Linda Tait, who joined the board of trustees last year, was unanimously elected as chair at the organisation’s most recent board meeting, which took place on Wednesday, February 7th, 2024. She takes over with immediate effect from previous chair Teresa Donaldson.

Growing up in Canada, and moving to London early in her career as a designer, Linda spent 40 years working in North America and Europe on retail, hospitality, shopping centres and large town centre developments. She founded a successful design company, then merged it to create a design and architectural practice, becoming managing director and board director of the parent company. She moved to Blairgowrie in 2022.

Speaking after her appointment as chair, Linda commented: “I am delighted to serve as the next chair of BRDT.

“I am committed to building on the existing foundations to develop the organisation’s goals and values while listening to our community voices to ensure stability and sustainability for the Trust. With a bold strategy, I believe we’ll overcome obstacles preventing our town from moving forward, grow our resources, and build strong relationships within the community to take our town to the next level.

“Successfully delivering the aspirations highlighted in the community action plan is my desire for this wonderfully diverse community.

“I would like to thank Teresa for all her efforts as chair over the past two years and I am looking forward to working with the BRDT team, Steve Johnson and Lesley McDonald, to help Blairgowrie and Rattray become a more vibrant town in which to live, work and visit.”

BRDT works with local people, community groups, businesses and the local authority towards to enhance and develop the town and have a positive impact on the community.  

As well as facilitating progress on the aspirations highlighted in the town’s Community Action Plan, BRDT is also responsible for the HEAT Project, second-hand bookshop Booklore, Rattray Community Garden, the BaRI Food Project - which aims to reduce food waste and costs – and the BaRI Building, where the BaRI Food and Refill Store is based and which also provides a meeting place for various community groups and organisations as well as a space for mental health and wellbeing support services, production of the quarterly Hub Magazine, the Discover Blairgowrie website, and supporting biodiversity initiatives and community groups and organisations in the town.

Last week’s meeting also saw Bob Swan re-elected as treasurer and William Wilson return to the board as a trustee joining Len Seal, Tracie Dick, Teresa Donaldson and Linda to work together for Blairgowrie and Rattray.

For further information on BRDT, see the website at www.brdt.org.uk

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