Sector achievements and future priorities brought to the fore at Share’s Governing Body Convention

Share’s Governing Body Convention 2025 took place this week at Seamill Hydro Hotel, bringing together chairs and governing body members from housing associations across Scotland for two days of learning, discussion, and networking.
Held on 16–17 September and coinciding with Scottish Housing Day, the event recognised the sector’s achievements while focusing on the priorities and challenges that lie ahead.
The programme was designed to address the issues shaping the sector today, while also preparing for what lies ahead. Emma Tilley, assistant manager at Henderson Loggie, opened the convention with a compelling session on the importance of adopting a human rights approach in governance, showing how fairness, accountability, and trust can be embedded into every decision-making process.
Nick Clark, CEO of Ore Valley Housing Association, followed with a practical roadmap for achieving net zero, outlining the critical role governing bodies play in steering their organisations toward sustainability. Delegates also took part in Conversations That Count, an interactive forum that encouraged sharing experiences, exploring solutions, and identifying collective priorities.

The afternoon saw Kirsty Ritchie, co-founder of Mind & Mission, inspire attendees with her keynote on mental health and leadership, highlighting the link between personal well-being, organisational culture, and long-term resilience. Bryan Dando, community investment manager at Barrhead Housing, closed the day with an engaging session on tenant engagement, underlining the value of community-focused strategies and partnerships.
Day two featured two powerful panel discussions. Diversity in Action in Committees and Boards brought together Ryan Barclay, Samina Ansari, Melanie Gilmour, and Bernadette Swindon to share practical approaches to building inclusive decision-making structures. The closing session, Building a Legacy – 50 Years of Housing Achievements and the Next 50 Years, featured Anna Stuart MBE, Allan Scott, Louise Devlin, and Kerry Clayton, who reflected on the sector’s milestones and explored its future ambitions.
Delegates enjoyed opportunities to network, from informal coffee breaks to the evening dinner and entertainment, making the convention not only a learning opportunity but also a celebration of collaboration.
Share would like to thank all speakers, panellists, delegates, and sponsors for making the Governing Body Convention 2025 a success.
For more information on upcoming Share events, visit www.share.org.uk or email events@share.org.uk.