The new trustees will play a critical role in guiding the social mobility charity’s decisions and long-term strategy, adding to the board’s existing pool of skills and experience.

For the first time the board will include an alumnus who has direct experience of the assistance provided by the Lawscot Foundation and the challenges faced by the law students the charity was established to help.

The newly recruited trustees joining the Lawscot Foundation board are:

• Paul Cook – former Lawscot Foundation bursary recipient, recently completed diploma in professional legal practice and now trainee solicitor at Keenan Solicitors
• Kay McCorquodale – solicitor, worked in both private practice and in-house. Most recently with the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service
• Heather McKendrick – corporate social responsibility manager at Addleshaw Goddard
• Morag McNeill – non-practising solicitor, former partner with McGrigors LLP (now Pinsent Masons LLP)
• Ally Thomson – non-practising solicitor, founder and director of Hey Legal Ltd. Ally will also take up the role of chair of the Lawscot Foundation fundraising committee.

Lawscot Foundation chair Christine McLintock said: “We’re delighted to welcome such a high calibre group of people to join the Lawscot Foundation’s board of trustees. Their arrival is testament to the charity’s work and to the inspiring scholars it exists to help.

“All five of our new trustees are talented and committed people who will make a significant contribution, and I’m especially pleased to see our first Lawscot Foundation recipient joining the board. Paul brings a unique perspective that will be invaluable to the board’s work.

“With a renewed and strengthened board, the Lawscot Foundation is now well placed to continue with its mission of nurturing and supporting aspiring Scots lawyers so they can fulfil their academic and professional potential.”