Board Members

• Terry Johnstone

  Position: Chair Person

  Terry Johnstone, our third Chairman, joined Shire in 2001. Perhaps appropriately for our area of operation, he has a working background in both farming and heavy industry. He had extensive experience of committee work through trade union and voluntary activities but was attracted to Board membership, as he felt his neighbourhoods’ interests were not fully represented. An active member, Terry has served on the Board since 2001 becoming Chairman in 2007.
  
  Conscious of changing policy and a difficult financial climate, Terry has now led the Board through a number of strategic planning exercises and identifies sustainability as our key operational challenge.

• Jan Gillies

  Position: Vice Chair

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  Jan Gillies has lived in Logan for the past 8 years and previously lived in Patna for 4 years.
  
  She has been a member of the Association’s Board since 1998 and has a very keen interest in Social Housing. She enjoys being on the Board of Shire and as a tenant feels that it is important that tenants have their say. She believes that affordable housing for rent should be a priority in our area.
  
  She was a Legal Secretary for 40 years in this Country and South Africa and is now retired.

• John Kane

  Position: Board Member

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  John is a long standing Board member of Shire Housing. Having worked with the Police for many years, his particular areas of interest are around community safety. He has really enjoyed supporting Shire to become involved with the wider community.
  
  He is pleased that we have been able to participate in the current debate on the Scottish Governments’ future investment proposals to try and influence onward policy.

• Linda McGregor

  Position: Board Member

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  Linda became involved with Shire Housing in 2005 having worked in a social work capacity for some time. She always had an active interest in community life. She felt a wee bit frustrated that not many members of the community were getting involved. She also had her own particular concerns around quality standards.
  
  As she has learnt more and more about the work of the Association, her particular interest continues to be focused around the well being of our houses and estates. For her, the most rewarding thing about involvement is actually seeing things improve and working with other people to create affordable and well managed homes.
  
  She does get a bit frustrated with “red tape” though fully appreciates concerns about value for the public pound.
  
  Linda particularly enjoys taking part in contractor selection exercises – those presented a real learning opportunity and a personal confidence boost for her. At the beginning she was a bit anxious about the responsibility she was taking on, but she does feel well supported by other Board colleagues.

• Robert Laurie

  Position: Board Member

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  Robert is one of the newer Board members having joined in 2007.
  
  He got involved, because he found he had some time on his hands; he has a long standing interest in property and thought he had skills to offer to Shire but also that he could learn something too.
  
  Robert particularly enjoys the exchange of views and the quality of debate which takes place within the Board meetings. He values the active and ongoing approach to learning, we run a regular calendar of events which are open to others.
  
  Any frustrations he feels tend to flow from the bureaucracy we have had to deal with and shortage of funding when it is clear the need for quality affordable homes across East Ayrshire.
  

• Edith Young

  Position: Board Member

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  Edith joined the Board as a co-optee in May 2009 and has been a full member since the Annual General Meeting in August 2009.
  
  Her work experience and responsibilities have been very varied throughout her working life. Edith worked in Social Work for the last 25 years until she retired.
  
  
  

• Isabella Crawford

  Position: Board Member

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  Isabella first joined Shire Housing as a tenant member of the Board in September 2000. During the past few years she has represented the Association at many conferences and events and has held the position of Vice Chair since 2007.
  
  She originally joined the Board because she has an interest in what is going on and believes that tenants should receive the best possible service. Her position also allows her to meet new people from many different backgrounds and see many positive outcomes that the organisation has brought about.

• Kathy McSkimming

  Position: Board Member

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• Grace Nichol

  Position: Board Member

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  Grace has been involved with Shire since the very first meeting at Glaisnock House. She was active in the tenants association and became a representative of the Steering Group. She was concerned about the stock transfer and worried about the rent levels and a bit afraid of the unknown.
  
  Grace's interests are in maintenance and development, the heart of all communities are its people, they need good housing to live in whether they are young or old.
  
  Grace is particularly interested in environmental issues and if she had one wish it would be for Shire to become greener across all of our activities.
  
  Grace enjoys her involvement with Shire and would encourage everyone to consider it.

• John Graham

  Position: Board Member

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  John Graham stays in Netherthird, and has been very interested in Shire Housing Association for many years. He became involved with Shire at Steering Group meetings which took place before the housing transfer from Scottish Homes and is still an active Board member to the present day.
  
  When he left school he started in the mining industry and worked at the Barony, Whithill, Cairnhill and back at the Barony until he was made redundant. John then did some courses at Ayr College, Annex Cumnock and gained some qualifications to gain new employment.
  
  Being a Board Member for some years now, he along with the other Board members has had to do a great deal of training to keep up with all the new legislation and policies. This helps to give him a good incite into how to make the right decisions needed to move the Association from strength to strength.
  
  John believes that there should be good quality, affordable rented accommodation, for now and into the future.

• Mary Dunsmore

  Position: Board Member

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  A long term Mauchline resident, our newest recruit, Mary Dunsmore joined the Board as a co-opted member in April 2010. She studied social policy at Glasgow University and there developed a keen interest in housing. She went on to undertake post graduate studies in housing at Stirling University and now works in the housing field in Glasgow. Her specific area of interest is in allocations and she is watching the development of the common approach across East Ayrshire very closely.