Derek is a housing and rural development professional with over twenty-five years’ experience in policy development at senior government and Ministerial level, but he remains grounded in practical work with communities across Scotland to secure affordable rural housing.
He has been Project Manager, Director, & now Chief Executive of Rural Housing Scotland since 1996. He is responsible for the delivery of Rural Housing Scotland activities. He has worked with a range of communities to tackle local housing problems and has supported the development of several practical projects to address housing need. Derek was previously a committee member of the Scottish Land Fund and of the Rural Development Council.
He recognises the potential that rural and island Scotland has and is keen to ensure the rural voice is accurately represented.