Scott, a former NAEA Propertymark president and managing director of Trading Places estate agents in Whitley Bay, takes over the role as Aidan Reid steps down from the post.

The primary role of Arbon Trust, formed in 2015, is to help members gain qualification grants and provide financial assistance for those who have suffered from physical or mental illness.

However, it also supports other charities through fundraising activities.

Last June, it staged a family walking event, which took place over the pandemic, and raised over £7,000 for the young people’s mental health charity Young Minds.

The trust was also behind Propertymark’s Great Agent Sleep Out, which saw agents from across the country spend a night in the elements where they raised £66,573 for the homeless charity Centrepoint in January 2020.

Scott says: “I’d like to firstly thank Aidan for the fantastic work he has done for the industry over his years of being chair. The trust has supported the sector and helped raise considerable amounts of money for other charities.

“I’ve always been a keen advocate for everything we do at Arbon Trust, and it is ever-more important that given the effects of the pandemic on many people’s lives and mental health, that we look to continue to support as many people as we can.”

Reid will remain as a trustee of the charity, which also sees former ARLA Propertymark president Phil Keddie join the body as a new trustee.