The Merchants House of Glasgow, a social enterprise charity with a 400-year-old history, today (Tuesday, 18 May) announced that May Storrie CBE has been elected as the first female Lord Dean of Guild since its incorporation in 1605.

The newly elected Lord Dean of Guild, May Storrie, said “This is a very proud moment for me and I am looking forward to playing a leading role in representing the Merchants House and being part of the future, to ensure we continue with our mission in tackling poverty in Glasgow and the West of Scotland.

May Storrie is a successful entrepreneur and philanthropist who set up Donald Storrie Estate Agents in Scotland in 1973. Her late husband, Donald, joined the business when it could support them both, and together they built up a network of 32 offices throughout Scotland, being acquired by Nationwide in 1987. May served as regional chairman for Nationwide Estate Agency covering Scotland, Northern Ireland, Tyne Tees and Cumbria. She was elected third female President of the National Association of Estate Agents in 1996. She was awarded a CBE for her service to Business and Philanthropy in 2015.

May is a Patron and Development Board Member of Marie Curie and supported her late husband Donald in the Big Build Appeal to raise £16 million for the construction of the Marie Curie Hospice in Glasgow. She continues to actively support a wide range of Charities, including as a Trustee of the RSNO Foundation and BeYonder Involve. She is the European representative on the worldwide governing body of The Sovereign Order of St. John of Jerusalem, Knights Hospitaller. May is also an Honorary Patron of the Phoenix Choir, a Member of the Incorporation of Coopers of Glasgow and a Liveryman, The Worshipful Company of Coopers of London.