Donna appointed to rural housing helm
Change of boss
Rural Stirling Housing Association has a new chief executive but not the one expected to take over.
It was announced by the association in October that Sandra McLeod, executive director of customer services at River Clyde Home, was to succeed Tony Teasdale in the association’s top job.
However, this week the association said the new chief executive would be Donna Birrell after Ms McLeod opted not to take up the appointment.
Chairperson of the association Margaret Vass said: “We were extremely fortunate to have two excellent candidates who were very close so when Sandra decided to stay with her current employer at the very last minute we were well placed to make a quick new appointment.”
Ms Birrell has extensive development, investment and regeneration experience from her roles at Maryhill Housing Association, Cube Housing Association and Scottish Homes.
A spokesperson for RSHA said: “Donna has delivered award-winning new-build housing developments and was a finalist in the 2017 UK housing awards in the category ‘outstanding approach to tenant involvement’. She has also led on the delivery of the first community self-build project for rent in Glasgow.”
Ms Vass said: “The association is delighted that Donna has accepted our offer to become our next chief executive.
“We are looking forward to her leading our excellent staff team to deliver our ambitious development and management programmes.
“Donna will be working with our board of management to continue to move the association forward to achieve our vision of building affordable homes and growing rural communities.”
Ms Birrell, who will start in her new role on Monday, added: “I am looking forward to working with the team, the management board and partner organisations to further build on successes and develop services to enhance the well-being of our communities, and to realise the ambitions of the board, staff and customers.”
Mr Teasdale left the association in October after 15 years in the post to work for a housing association in Glasgow.
The association has almost 600 homes in 17 communities through the area. Its latest annual report showed income up from £3,034,767 in 2015-16 to £3,245,329 in 2016-17.