Chairperson of Horizon Housing Association’s board Drew McPhail has handed the reins over to vice-chair Frances Wood after almost five years in the role.

Mr McPhail, who will remain on the board, has steered Horizon and the board through its first five years as a subsidiary of Link Group Ltd, as Horizon and Link have developed their partnership to the benefit of both organisations and improved services for tenants and other customers.

He said: “It has been a privilege to serve Horizon as chairperson, and to work with such an able and varied board and staff team. Given the levels of regulation now placed on the sector and expectations facing boards and committees I considered the time was right to have a seamless handover (to Frances) to retain the continuity and consistency within a very strong board. I am pleased to be able to remain involved as a board member, contributing to Horizon’s many achievements and ensuring it retains its strong financial position and offering my support to its new chair.”

Ms Wood said: “I’m delighted to continue my long association with Horizon in the role of Chair. Our vision of inclusive communities in which everyone has a home that meets their needs, and in which everyone can play a role, remains as relevant as ever. The backdrop of welfare reform, increasing demand and rising costs makes it all the more challenging. Horizon will continue to put tenants and customers at the heart of what we do, as we work to improve existing services and respond to changing needs by developing new products and services for tenants and older and disabled home owners.”

Ms Wood, who retired from her post of deputy director, employability and tackling poverty with Scottish Government in 2012, has also held senior roles in housing associations and local government. She has been a member of Horizon since 1993, and has served on its Board on two occasions, most recently from 2012.

Bob Hartness, convenor of the audit sub-committee, and board member since 2009, has assumed the role of vice-chair. Mr Hartness is finance director of ng homes, is a chartered accountant, and was previously director of social housing with Baker Tilly.