Tenant participation newsletter: making a difference

Retirements ...

2018 saw 2 members of Better Homes Division take very early retirement.

William Fleming

William Fleming, Head of Housing Services Policy Unit, retired in September 2018.

William had started in the civil service at Westminster in 1983 and served in the Cabinet Office when Mrs Thatcher was Prime Minister. In 1997, he moved to the Scottish Executive and spent 9 years in Water and also worked in Finance.

He joined Housing in 2006. He served 6 Housing Ministers, built Firm Foundations, chartered a new course for social housing standards with the Social Housing Charter, corralled the policies in Homes Fit for the 21 Century in to the 2014 Act and the Private Tenancies (Scotland) Act 2016.

He was admired and respected by tenants in Scotland and the Regional Networks will certainly miss his wit and wisdom. He was supportive and encouraging, firm and fair when required and is greatly missed.

William and his wife are looking forward to renting a house in France and if that works out retire to France permanently.

Ann Marie Stanley

Ann Marie Stanley, Tenant Participation Manager, retired in November 2018. Ann Marie had worked in housing since she was 18, having started her career in Glasgow City Council before moving to Scottish Homes, Communities Scotland and latterly the Scottish Government. Ann Marie spent the last 15 years working in the Tenant Priorities Team and was very popular with the Tenants and Residents she worked with.

Peter Winnie, a member of Central Regional network, Coatbridge Federation and North Lanarkshire Federation said about Ann Marie:

‘An excellent and efficient young lady who has been without compare in her efforts to assist the tenants and residents throughout Scotland without her Coatbridge Federation and North Lanarkshire Federation could not have developed as it has. Ann Marie’s expert advice was invaluable. To say that you will be missed is an understatement and it is sad that you we will not be able to avail ourselves of our vast knowledge and lovely personality, but wish you all the best in your retirement.’

Ann Marie is looking forward to spending more time with her husband and holidaying anywhere sunny.

All their colleagues in the Scottish Government and all the tenants and landlords they worked with over the years wish both William and Ann Marie all the best for the future!