At the last meeting of the Church of Scotland Guild's National Executive committee, it was announced that Esme Duncan from Caithness is to be the incoming national convener of the Church of Scotland Guild.

Ms Duncan was born and educated in Aberdeen and taught English and Moral Education. She served for 15 years on the school's staff of Scripture Union Scotland.

A trained reader in the Church of Scotland, she moved to Caithness to do locum ministry following her early retirement. In turn, she retired from locum ministry in the summer of 2007 to devote time to her Guild commitments after being appointed national vice convener.

Ms Duncan has held various posts in the Guild, including council convener, a member of National Executive, convener of the Programmes and Resources Committee and is currently national vice convener.

Her hobbies are motor caravanning, writing, reading, and the company of her devoted dog Morven, who is registered with Pets As Therapy.

Ms Duncan commented on her appointment: "Being invited to be national convener of the Guild is a huge honour which I hope I can live up to.

"Looking back on my life so far, I feel that many of my experiences have led up to this appointment and I trust that with God's help, and the support of my friends I'll be enabled to fulfil the trust which is being placed on me."

At the same meeting, Elizabeth Dunn from Lenzie, Glasgow, was elected as national vice convener. Ms Dunn was born and educated in Glasgow, and her career background is in design, manufacture and retail - becoming a sales director and travelling the world.

In 1990, Betty was given the MBE for services to the Export and Textile Industry. Betty has a husband, Ian, and three grown up children. Heavily involved in her local church as an elder, Ms Dunn is currently convener of her local Guild Presbyterial Council and serves on the Guild's Finance and General Purposes Committee.

Ms Duncan and Ms Dunn will take up their posts following the General Assembly in May.