David Cargill Elected as SHN’s New Chair
As we approach the end of our 30th anniversary year, Scotland’s Housing Network (SHN) is delighted to announce the election of David Cargill (Cairn Housing Association) as our new Chair. This marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for SHN, as we continue to grow and evolve to meet the needs of our members and the communities they serve. The appointment was confirmed at the Board meeting on 2 December, where Mark Weir (Perth and Kinross Council) was also elected Vice Chair.
We are also pleased to welcome five new Board members, whose expertise and perspectives will further strengthen our governance and ensure that the voices of our members remain at the heart of everything we do. The refreshed Board will be coming together in January for a strategy day to reflect on our priorities, investment, and service development for the year ahead, all within the framework of our ambitious five-year strategic plan (2024–2029).
Reflecting on his appointment, shared:
“It is an honour for me to become the Chair of SHN, having served on the Board for the past three years. My passion lies within social housing, and being involved with SHN allows me to be part of assisting the social housing sector across Scotland. SHN’s strength lies in collaboration and evidence-led improvement. We’ll build on recent momentum, grow our offer, and ensure members have the tools, insights, and support they need to deliver excellent services for tenants and communities.”
Chief Executive Andrea Finkel-Gates added:
“Our focus is firmly on our members—local authorities and housing associations across Scotland—providing practical, data-driven services that help them improve outcomes for tenants. With David as Chair and a refreshed Board, we’re set to deepen our impact and support the sector through the challenges and opportunities ahead.
A Member-Focused, Impact-Driven Network
SHN exists to help social landlords deliver better services for tenants—through benchmarking and validation, data and performance dashboards, communities of practice, events, and tailored support. The Board has reaffirmed its ambition for sustainable growth and enhanced member value, ensuring that our work continues to make a real difference for our members and their tenants.
Thirty Years of Collaboration and Improvement
2025 marks 30 years since SHN’s creation in 1995. From our beginnings as a collaborative network of local authority colleagues, SHN has grown into a national membership body—including all 32 local authorities and over 105 registered social landlords (RSLs)—and a Scottish charity committed to sector-wide improvement. Over three decades, the Network has championed data-driven performance, shared learning, and peer support to help landlords deliver better outcomes for tenants across Scotland.