For a diehard football fan, few venues could have been more fitting for Margaret Follon’s final AGM and Board meeting as Chair, than Scotland’s national stadium, Hampden Park.
After eight years as Chair of the Housing Options Scotland Board, Margaret Follon officially stepped down from the role at our 2025 AGM and Board meeting on Wednesday 12 November, handing over to our incoming Chair, Ryan MacDonald.
Following the official meeting and the business of the board, the event brought together staff, board members, volunteers, and guests in a warm and celebratory atmosphere to mark Margaret’s outstanding contribution. Knowing Margaret’s lifelong love of football, the team wanted to make sure her final day as Chair was one to remember and Hampden proved to be the perfect place.
The celebration began with a three-course lunch before everyone took part in a private tour of the national stadium. The group explored behind the scenes areas across Hampden, including the changing rooms, warm-up area, pitchside, and the famous trophy room. There was even the chance to test footballing skills by taking shots at goal during the tour.
Staff at the stadium went above and beyond throughout the visit, making everyone feel incredibly welcome and helping create a truly memorable experience for Margaret and the wider team. Following the board meeting, the tour guide also treated Margaret to a few extra special moments around the stadium.
On her special day at Hampden, Margaret says: “It was a real pleasure for me and has rounded off my time as chair in a very memorable way. From being presented with a Scotland top to having the chance to score a goal, the whole experience has been great. It was rounded off perfectly when the guide located a piece of memorabilia about my dad, Gerry, who was a professional footballer who played for Dundee FC. Handing over to Ryan MacDonald, a fellow fan seems right!”
A special tribute
To mark the occasion, the Housing Options Scotland team presented Margaret with a framed Scotland football top signed by colleagues, a gift that perfectly reflected both her passion for football and the appreciation felt across the organisation for her years of leadership.
Housing Options Scotland CEO Moira Bayne said the team wanted to create a celebration worthy of Margaret’s dedication and commitment to the organisation. “It was our AGM and combined with Margaret’s standing down as chair, we wanted to do something special.”
Moira also commended the team at Hampden for playing a big part in making the day memorable: “I would definitely say how great the staff were. Really made everyone very welcome and the food was delicious.”
Incoming Chair Ryan MacDonald said the event was a fitting tribute:
“Hampden Park was the ideal venue for a celebration of everything Margaret has achieved in her time as Chair of Housing Options Scotland. Having the chance to say thank you at such an iconic venue really was a highlight of the year for me.
As well as celebrating past achievements, it also gave us a chance to look forward to the year ahead. As always, it will be a big year for us at Housing Options Scotland, as the brokerage team prepare to support record numbers of clients again”.
As Housing Options Scotland looks ahead to another busy and important year, the day at Hampden was not only a chance to reflect on Margaret’s remarkable contribution, but also to celebrate the organisation’s future under new leadership.