She will succeed Iain Malloch, senior manager of specialist brands for Lloyds Banking Group, who had been Scotland chair since 2012.
Linda Docherty joined Clydesdale Bank in 2007, when she was appointed relationship partner. She has since taken on more responsibility as senior relationship partner which sees her managing a team of relationship partners that handle the bank's intermediary business. Linda is also responsible for managing the bank's telephone based intermediary sales operation. Earlier in her career, Linda worked for Abbey for Intermediaries (Santander).
On taking up her appointment, Linda Docherty said:
"I look forward to being the first female chair of CML Scotland and representing Scottish mortgage lenders at this important time for the industry. I would like to thank Iain Malloch for his notable contribution as the previous chair.
"It is an intriguing time for the industry in Scotland with consumer confidence returning, and that is having a positive effect on our economy and also our housing market. CML Scotland reported lending for house purchase had reached its highest level since mid-2008 in the final quarter of 2013 and first time buyers are a significant driver in this, which is vitally important in a healthy sustainable market."
Linda Docherty's appointment coincides with CML Scotland's annual lunch in Edinburgh where 150 members of the Scottish mortgage market listened to the first public speech from new CML chairman Stephen Noakes of Lloyds Banking Group about the change the mortgage market will see when the Mortgage Market Review is implemented in April and the government mortgage guarantee scheme, Help to Buy.
Talking at the lunch, Stephen Noakes said:
"The CML will continue its role of helping the industry through the final phase of the Mortgage Market Review implementation and will be ready to deal with any unintended consequences that this scale of investment may bring. The FCA has shown a willingness to engage and we will continue to work closely with them to ensure ongoing guidance and clarity for the industry.
"Talk of bubbles is now dominating many media outlets but the market is far from overheating. The growth we have seen in 2013 was clearly a marked change from what was seen previously, but some parts of the UK are still seeing declines. House price increases reflect the ongoing imbalance between demand and supply but housing starts are picking up and more new instructions are filtering through to estate agents as sentiments improves. With an election just around the corner, housing will continue to take centre stage. The CML will have a role to play in pushing for a clear housing strategy and we will strive to act as a thought leader to encourage debate."
