Grampian Housing Association and its subsidiaries have concluded a successful recruitment process with Craig Stirrat being announced as the new chief executive officer of the Grampian Group (comprising Grampian Housing Association, Let’s Choose Leasing and TLC Housing Maintenance).

Craig, who has been Grampian Housing Association’s chief operating officer since 2018, will step up into his new role at the beginning of April 2022.

Abhi Agarwal, chair said: “Craig’s appointment as CEO is testament to the great talent we have within the Grampian Group.

“We conducted a rigorous recruitment process during January and February and were delighted by the response from many high calibre candidates.”

Having joined Grampian Housing Association in 2014, as director of business development, Craig has considerable knowledge and experience across many aspects of social housing and social care. He was previously head of service with Aberdeen City Council, director of of a national body and more recently a director with Fife Housing Group.

Commenting on his appointment Craig Stirrat said: “I am delighted and honoured to be entrusted to the position of CEO of the Grampian Group.

“It is my job to ensure that our tenants, customers and the communities we serve as well as the talented people in the Grampian Group remain at the forefront of our business and I look forward to continuing to drive the Group to deliver excellent customer focussed services and value for money affordable homes.

“At a time when many households are facing the challenges of an increased cost of living, I will aim to ensure that tenants feel they are being listened to and that we do what we say we are going to do to help them, for instance by improving the quality and energy efficiency of homes including through renewable energy and assisting with access to fuel support funds to tackle fuel poverty.

“As a charity with a strong moral compass and values underpinning this, the challenge to do better and more for those we are here to help has never been more important.”

Craig’s appointment comes at an important time for the Grampian Group as it moves forward in 2022 to launch the “Grampian Deal”, a customer first initiative being developed in liaison with tenants to deliver great service, great results and great value for money.

Services have already been redesigned through the creation of the role of Neighbourhood Officer. With smaller areas, staff are able to get to know tenants better and services can be tailored to the needs of tenants or neighbourhoods based on their feedback.

A new approach to digital services is being implemented for those who wish to access services in this way.

It is people who make an organisaiton and the Grampian Group is committed to being a great employer through continued investment in learning and development and sector leading initiatives around wellbeing.

Grampian is the largest housing provider based in the North East of Scotland, serving over 3,600 social rent and mid market rent households, along with over 1,000 factored owners and almost 500 sharing owners throughout Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and Moray. It has a substantial development programme of new build homes and is committed to adding 600 properties to its portfolio by 2024 to play its part in addressing significant unmet housing need in the area.