You are viewing 1 of your 1 free articles
The Scottish Leaders List explained
Inside Housing editor Emma Maier explains more about our inaugural Scottish Leaders List
As Scotland faces a crisis in housing supply and affordability, leaders across the housing sector are driving through new solutions and doggedly focusing on the issues that matter to bring about change.
From integration with health and social care, to tackling homelessness, improving the quality and security of private rented homes and building much-needed social homes and other tenures, Scotland’s housing leaders are championing solutions. The work they are doing is increasingly attracting attention across the UK, as policy diverges.
READ MORE
The inaugural Inside Housing Scottish Leaders List seeks to recognise the individuals who are leading and driving progress.
The process began in March, when we invited readers to nominate colleagues and those in the sector who inspire them. While the nominations flooded in, we held a session at the Chartered Institute of Housing Scotland’s annual conference. We asked delegates to tell us what they thought good leadership looked like. Their responses were varied, encompassing skills, values and attributes. These formed the basis for the criteria that our judges worked with.
Delegates wanted leaders who are inspirational, motivational, visionary, passionate, dynamic and courageous. Customer focus, effective people management and communication and listening skills also topped the list, as did the values of honesty and fairness. Judges looked for all these traits, along with evidence of influence and success.
Our expert panel considered nominations submitted by readers, as well as additional suggestions put forward by the panel and Inside Housing.
The result is a varied list. Of the individuals who made the list, 59% are women and 41% men. Almost half (45%) are chief executives, with the rest a mix, including managers, academics, consultants and board members.
There is a wide range of organisations, reflecting the diversity of the housing sector. The largest group are housing associations, making up 38%. Councils, members’ bodies and associations, universities, government, charities, developers and the NHS are all represented.
Some people will be known to readers, while others have worked quietly beneath the radar. All are showing ambition, drive and determination, and in doing so making an important contribution to ensuring that more people have a quality home to live in.
Given the range of people on the list, with different stories and ways of influencing, the panel decided that imposing a ranking would be too arbitrary. For that reason, our list is simply presented in alphabetical order.
One of our leaders, former Scottish Federation of Housing Associations chief executive Mary Taylor, has made a significant contribution over many years, and received many nominations. You can read more about her career and her views on the challenges ahead for the sector in a feature interview.
The Scottish Leaders List project is intended to promote awareness and discussion of the achievements of those in the list. I hope you will join me in congratulating them, learning from their experiences and continuing the discussion in the coming months.
Emma Maier, editor, Inside Housing
CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL LIST
The judging panel
Kirsty Wells, head of Housemark Scotland
Ms Wells is responsible for leading the strategic development and growth of Housemark Scotland. She is passionate about making a difference and helping members to deliver positive outcomes for tenants. She has more than 20 years’ operational and strategic experience, having started her career as a housing officer. She then worked as a development manager with the Tenants Information Service, and was involved in several stock transfers as an independent tenant advisor.
Ashley Campbell, policy and practice manager, CIH Scotland
Ms Campbell joined the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) in 2014 and now manages the policy and practice team in Scotland. The team works to support CIH members by producing briefings and updates on key topics, leading on research and influencing the government agenda.
Before joining the CIH, Ms Campbell worked in a variety of roles for a local authority, from frontline customer service in a local housing office to policy and strategy work.
George Drennan-Lang, head of business development, Shelter Scotland
Mr Drennan-Lang joined Shelter Scotland in November 2014, to head up its business development team. His key responsibilities involve delivering a programme of sustainable business development, co-ordinating the development of services and managing the training team. He leads on the provision of management information, which includes monitoring performance, risk and financial reporting.
