Our Management Committee

Alistair MacPhee 

Alistair is experienced in finance and is currently employed at Cadder Housing Association in the role of Finance Officer. He also has several years finance experience working with Scottish Christian Alliance which is a charity that provides supported accommodation to people who are experiencing homelessness in Scotland.

Alistair is an AAT licensed accountant and a member of CIH (Chartered Institute of Housing) having achieved level 3 Housing Services in June 2019.

Alistair lived in Kirkintilloch before getting married in 2015 and now currently lives in Stepps. He brings a wealth of experience to the Committee both professionally and personally. It is his passion to use this experience to serve the community and to make a difference supporting with the delivery of good quality housing and services.3

Claire Taylor 

Claire Taylor

Claire is a local resident and has been a member of the Management Committee since 2000 when she joined the steering group that was later to become Hillhead Housing Association. She has been Chair since 2016 and prior to then she served as Vice Chair. She was previously chair between 2009 and 2012. Claire is a retired psychiatric nurse, Member of Kirkintilloch Community Council, Secretary of Strathkelvin Credit Union, Vice Chair of Glasgow & West of Scotland Forum of Housing Associations, and is Board Member of a local Recovery Group called GRACE.

Cllr Pamela Marshall

Pamela Marshall

Councillor Pamela Marshall Pamela Marshall was elected in 2022 as a councillor in East Dunbartonshire for Kirkintilloch East North, Twechar and Waterside.

Pamela was raised in council housing and is keen to see the continued development of Hillhead and Kirkintilloch, to improve the lives of those who live there and provide safe, reliable modern housing for generations to enjoy.

As a member of the management committee, appointed by East Dunbartonshire Council, Pamela is delighted to have the opportunity to contribute to the decision making process that will make that happen.

Gary Jackson

Gary

Gary has over 35 years of experience working in the construction sector across the UK, both as an engineer, manager and senior director.

His knowledge of the building sector both technically and commercially helps supports the Committee’s desire to develop and support our tenants.

Living locally in Chryston and wishing to help develop the Hillhead Housing community, Gary has been a welcome addition to our Committee having been a member since 2019

John Jamieson (Chair)

John

John has been an East Dunbartonshire Councillor and Hillhead Housing committee member since 2007. Previously he worked as an accountant and auditor in the private sector - in several Councils and in public transport. He was brought up in Council housing and is a former Council tenant so has experienced both good and bad aspects of social housing.

John states “I consider it to have been a great experience seeing the redevelopment and upgrading of housing in Hillhead over the years and to have shared in the decision making that has brought it about”

Mary Docherty (Secretary)

Mary joined the Management Committee in 2015, and is currently one of our office bearers (Secretary). She has lived in Hillhead since 1955, so is always keen to be involved in decisions regarding the improvement and regeneration of the community in which she lives.

Before retiring, Mary previously worked for Keyline Builders Merchants and Hillhead Co-operative.

Peter O'Connell

peter

Peter is an experienced senior business leader with board experience, with a proven track record of leading the delivery of infrastructure and business change projects and programmes for top[1]tier public and private sector organisations with focus on stakeholder engagement, partnerships and driving strategic vision. Qualified with an MBA in Construction & Real Estate from the University of Reading and Bachelor of Architecture (Hons) from the University of Dundee. Key strengths to support the Committee include: developing relationships, engaging and negotiating with internal and external stakeholders and presenting complex issues in multifaceted environment; leading strategy and teams based on inclusion, delegation and accountability; directing collaborative partnerships and working across public / private sectors to achieve enhanced outcomes; and developing robust business plans to deliver strategic priorities & leading implementation ensuring effective governance.  Peter has been a member of the Committee since June 2021 and has a keen interest in supporting the provision of good quality housing in the local community. 

Robert Smith

Robert has lived in Kirkintilloch since the 1990s and in Hillhead since 2011. Following a successful 25 years career in the construction industry, he was made redundant following the building industry collapse. After suffering the anguish of many life issues, Robert founded and later became the CEO of Group Recovery Aftercare Community Enterprise (GRACE) in 2012, recognising that he had personal experience of many of the issues faced by local people in Hillhead.

Robert

 In order to help him further support his local community, Robert undertook further education and training. He states “ I understood the stigma and fear of change and realised that others must struggle too. This was when the vision of a peer-led recovery after-care resource was born. Hillhead Housing Association supported me in developing GRACE in its early stages, therefore I was more than happy to be invited to bring my experience within the Management Committee, which I have served upon since 2014. I believe in supporting my community and me being part of the Committee strengthens that. ”

Robert’s community involvement ethos supports him to be connected to and have good relationships with vast majority of local Statutory and Third Sector organisations, councillors, MSP, MP to the extent that he was awarded the East Dunbartonshire Local Hero at a ceremony in the Scottish Parliament attended by the first Minister and the Queen.

Stuart Niven(Treasurer)Stuart

Keen to get involved in his local community and with an interest in social housing, Stuart was elected to the Management Committee in 2017. He has lived in Kirkintilloch since 2013 and works for Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) Bank. Stuart has held the position of Treasurer for the Association since 2019.

Walid Hassan

Walid was co-opted onto the Committee in July 2019 and was fully elected at the Annual General Meeting later that year. He was previously employed with the Scottish Refugee Council and was a member of the housing advisers team. He has worked for Citizens Advice Bureau since 2005 although he is currently seconded to East Dunbartonshire Council, to support vulnerable people.

Walid

Walid completed the Post Graduate Diploma in Housing in 2018/2019. Prior to that he graduated from University in 1994, worked as a Microbiologist in a Microbiology laboratory for two years, then commenced a PhD in Environmental studies, specialising in heavy Metals in Water.

Walid brings to the Committee his experience in Housing advice, money advice - specialising in benefits for people from abroad and immigration.

Cllr Susan Murray susan

Susan worked in the NHS before a career in medical marketing.   She describes herself as a mother, a carer and a community activist turned politician, elected as a Councillor in East Dunbartonshire in 2017.  She lives in Hillhead and chose to stand for election to represent Kirkintilloch North & East and Twechar ward, which includes Hillhead, because of her desire to help people disadvantaged by ill-health and poverty. 

Her knowledge of Hillhead Housing Association 2000, the good work she saw them doing as a Registered Social Landlord and also as an anchor organisation, meant she was keen to be involved as a Committee Member appointed by East Dunbartonshire Council to support the Association. She is one of two Council appointees on the Management Committee.

Karen McIntyre (Vice Chair)

Karen McIntyre (Vice Chair)

Karen McIntyre joined the Board in 2021 after lockdown had highlighted to her the importance of safe, sustained and good quality homes.  Karen has worked in the third sector for over 20 years and is currently Chief Exec at Bridges Programmes, supporting employability for refugees, asylum seekers and migrants.  She is most interested in the wider role of Hillhead HA, and how it contributes to a resilient Kirkintilloch community.   

Mandy McIntyre Mandy McIntyre

Mandy is a Hillhead resident - she was born in Hillhead, grew up in London, and has lived back home for over 30 years.  Her family have lived in Hillhead since the 1930's.

She is the proud mum of 4, almost grown children.  She is a former Chair of Merkland School Parent Council (2006-2010), member of Enable Scotland council (2010-2018)and a parent member Non-executive Director/Trustee (2014-2018).

Mandy is an active volunteer- most recently part of COP26, UCI Worlds Glasgow 2023 and World Indoor Athletics Glasgow 2024.

She re-trained as a risk manager after her youngest children went to school, and worked for Scottish Fire and Rescue Service in the City of Glasgow fire safety team until 2023.  She currently works as a risk surveyor in the insurance industry.

Mandy loves the Scottish countryside and feels very lucky to see the Campsie's from her windows every day.