THE BOARD

 David Wood - Chair

David joined the Board shortly after its inception and has served as Treasurer, Vice-Chair and Chair. 

He has worked in both public and private sectors in mainly accounting and financial management capacities.  After several Financial Advisor roles, his latest position was as Financial Manager of a Credit Union, before retirement.

With a strong interest in housing and tenant matters David has long been involved with his local Tenant Association as well as the Scottish Tenants Organisation.

Currently David is occupied with a charitable social enterprise, which he helped to set up.  It's aim is to reduce landfill through recycling household goods while providing training and employment opportunities.  Major funding and asset transfer of premises have been agreed, hopefully allowing operations to begin in 2018, after essential refurbishment is undertaken.

 Anne Allan - Vice Chair

Anne is a Councillor for the Peterhead North and Rattray ward of Aberdeenshire Council, and is the opposition spokesperson on the Communities Committee, and a member fo the Community Planning Partnership Board.

She has a long involvement with Housing going back to her days as an active tenant before she was first elected in 1999.

In the little time she has free from council duties, Anne is a keen family historian and is secretary of the Family History Society of Buchan.

She is also a member of the Buchan Community Safety Group, the Hatton Residents Association and the Peterhead and Buchan Fairtrade Group.  She joined the Board of Houseability in 2012.

 Robert Smith - Director

Robert Smith is a Professor of Enterprise and Innovation at the University of the West of Scotland and was formerly a Police Constable with Grampian Police.

Robert has experience in working with Third Sector organisations.

Rob is a valued member because of his academic skills.  He is married to Valery Smith.

 Valery Smith - Director 

Before retiring,  Valery Smith was formerly a Learning Coordinator in Aberdeenshire with LEAD Scotland. Prior to that she has extensive CLD experience with Aberdeenshire Council and was also a Sports Coach.

She has a wealth of experience in the Third Sector and with working with volunteers. Val is very much a people person.  She is a valued Board Member because of her practical experience.

  Les Allan - Director   

A Glaswegian, Les has lived in the North East for 27 years having come to the area to work for Banff & Buchan District Council as a Depute Director .  At re-organisation of the local government in 1996 he became Head of Housing for North Aberdeenshire.  Laterley, Les took on the role of Area Manager for the Marr area of Aberdeenshire. He retired in 2014.  

As well as being a Director of Houseability, Les is also the chair of Osprey Housing Moray, a housing association and charity.  Chair of Huntly and District Development Trust, a charity and social enterprise which is involved in a range of community projects.

Les is married to a very hard working Primary Headteacher, has a daughter, 4 sons,  and a grandaughter.  He does housework and plays golf in his spare time.

 Brian Watson - Director

Brian has over 40 years' of experience in public sector Housing.  Previous roles included senior positions in local government as Director of Housing and Property with the former Banff & Buchan District Council before becoming the First District Manager for Grampian, Highlands and Islands with the Government's former National Housing Agency, Scottish Homes, where he played a lead role in transferring SSHA housing to Cooperatives and providing development funding to Housing Associations. 

After short spells in the private construction & development sector, he returned to local government with Aberdeenshire Council in 2004,  initially as a Housing Manager,  and latterly as Acting Head of Housing, a post he held for a year before retiring at the end of 2016.

THE STAFF

  Anne Mair - Service Manager 

Anne has over 25 years experience working in the Housing sector.  Previously she was employed by Aberdeenshire Council Housing department and Langstane Housing Association.

In 2003, Anne joined Houseability and enjoys the busy and varied role of Service Manager.  She has responsibility for the operational running of the service and reports directly to The Board on progress.  Her job is wide ranging and includes client case work, sourcing funding, developing partnership working, financial management and staff supervision.  She has a professional development awards in Housing Law Advice and in Leadership.

Anne enjoys walking yoga and wild water swimming when she has free time.

Katrina Colligan - Housing Advisor

Katrina has worked within housing for nearly 30 years, starting with Clackmannanshire Council, moving to Horizon Housing Association, then onto Falkirk Council before moving to Aberdeenshire Council in 2012.  She came to work for Houseability in 2019 bringing with her the vast knowledge she has accumulated over the years.

She thrives in the very varied and interesting role of Housing Advisor in Houseability and works alongside our Assistant Housing Advisor, Gillian and has responsibility for the majority of client contact and liaising with the local housing teams.  Her role is very people orientated and she excels at this, building a strong rapport with everyone involved in the process.  She reports to directly to the Service Manager, Anne Mair.

Katrina has a CIH Professional Diploma in Housing and Sustainable Communities.  She continues to increase her housing knowledge by taking part in training with Shelter Scotland, Home Energy Scotland and various other providers.  These courses include Housing Law & Advice, Fuel Poverty, Private Rented Sector and Homelessness.

Katrina enjoys spending time with family, her horse & dog, socialising with friends and being out in the local countryside in her free time

Gillian Dickson - Housing Advice Assistant

Gillian joined the Houseability team as Housing Advice Assistant in October 2021. Before this she worked in various roles in the Aberdeenshire Council housing department and was previously a social work occupational therapy assistant. Gillian assists Katrina to help clients with their housing issues and thoroughly enjoys her role.

She has two grown up children and in her spare time is studying a course in applied psychology and enjoys swimming and walking. 

We pay our staff the Living Wage or above.