My role
CEO

What I do
I am the conductor of the HOS orchestra, a team of immensely talented individuals. It’s my job to provide leadership and support to make sure everyone stays in tune and gives the best performance.

When I work
Flexibly, very flexibly.

Best way to reach me
Whatever works for you -phone, email, online, face to face, Twitter carrier pigeon.

Best thing about my job
The variety, the challenge and the (wonderful) people.

My CV highlights
I graduated before computers, mobiles, social media but some things remain as relevant as they did back in 1979.

Interests outside work
Chamber music, musical theatre and Park Run.

Favourite saying
Pick yourself up, dust yourself off and start all over again.

My role
Head of Engagemnt

What I do
My role is to ensure that Housing Options Scotland has positive, constructive relationships with the housing and third sectors and that we are sharing what we do and how we do it with everyone who might need our service – both clients and professionals alike.

When I work
8:30-17:00 Monday to Thursday.

Best way to reach me
Send me an email to or find me on Twitter @HOS_Pedro

Best thing about my job
The wide range of people I get to speak to about many different issues. I love to chat, and this job lets me do that all the time! I also love our team camaraderie, and the flexibility I have to pursue my other interests.

My CV highlights
The HHOS project has been a real highlight for me. I have gained so much experience and knowledge from working on this project, and I have gotten to know so many great people across the sector. I am also very proud of our Equality in Housing podcast. Equality, diversity and inclusion is a real passion for me and I’m glad to be able to be able to share some really meaningful conversations with it.

Interests outside work
I am a professional musician outside of my day job – I perform under the name Man of the Minch, and I am a session fiddle player too. I run an organisation called Bogha-frois: Queer Voices in Folk, which provides a platform for queer traditional and folk musicians across Scotland. I am also learning Gaelic, and love walking with my dog Angus.

Favourite saying
I love Scots words that are particularly descriptive – like “glaikit” “stramash” “clarty” and “scunnered”. And my motto is always “whits fur ye’ll no go by ye.”

My role
Senior Housing Options Broker

What I do
Along with my own caseload of clients, I support my own team of brokers to ensure they have everything they need to help our clients.

When I work
My normal working hours are Monday-Thursday 8.00am til 17.30pm.

Best way to reach me
Any! An email, call or text. I’ll get back as soon as I can.

Best thing about my job
Definitely seeing the positive outcomes for our clients! Another huge benefit of working with HOS is agile working. Working from home really helps to maintain a good work life balance.

My CV highlights
I have two degrees, my undergraduate degree in Social Sciences from Glasgow Caledonian University, and a postgraduate diploma in Housing Studies from Stirling University. During my time at HOS I have also been promoted in my role to Senior Housing Options Broker, which is a real highlight for me. Most recently, I have become a board member for C-Change Scotland.

Interests outside work
I enjoy going out for nice meals, and spending time with friends and family. I also enjoy taking my Pomeranian, Charlie, on long walks somewhere scenic. 

Favourite saying
‘Never be so kind, you forget to be clever. Never be so clever, you forget to be kind. Never be so polite, you forget to show power. Never wield such power, you forget to be kind.’ Not so much a saying, as a lyric from my favourite singer/songwriter Taylor Swift.

My role
Resources Manager

What I do
I work alongside the Senior Management team to help everything run smoothly behind the scenes. I make sure our internal systems and processes are running effectively. I also manage all of the initial client communication.

When I work
I work full time Monday-Friday.

Best way to reach me
Email or Phone.

Best thing about my job
I love the variety in my role. I love getting involved in different things as well as speaking to our clients and making sure we have everything we need for them to be assigned to a Housing Options Broker.

My CV highlights
I have worked in a variety of roles from Recruitment to Engagement Coordinator to Customer Service roles. I have built a lot of skills through this which is perfect for my varied role as Resources Manager.

Interests outside work
I love to cook and I love to travel! My hobbies include Yoga, Pilates and reading.  

Favourite food
One word: PASTA!

My role
Housing Options Broker

What I do
Provide a housing options service to members of the armed forces and their families. Liaisewith veterans organisations, local authorities and other outside bodies on their behalf.

When I work
I generally work Monday-Thursday 8am to 5.30pm.

Best way to reach me
Email

Best thing about my job
The variety of the role and the people and organisations I interact with to help find housing solutions for our clients. I also benefit from a wealth of housing knowledge and related issues that my colleagues have accumulated over the years and very generously share with me.

My CV highlights
First class honours degree with the Open University (History / Social Science)

Interests outside work
I enjoy pottering around in my home and garden and going on long walks with friends and family. I do try my hand at arts and crafts but I’m not very creative!

Favourite saying
Tomorrow is another day!

My role
Depute CEO

What I do
My main role is to support our team of Housing Options Brokers, making sure they have everything they need to help their clients find the right home in the right place. I also have my own caseload of clients, focussing on more complex situations.

When I work
I work Monday – Thursday from 08:00-17:30

Best way to reach me
I am always available on email or phone, and happy to schedule video calls too.

Best thing about my job
The best thing about my job is being able to help people every day, knowing that the small part I play is helping to make a difference to the lives of the people I work with. 

My CV highlights
My undergraduate studies were taken at University of Glasgow where I gained an MA in Philosophy. My postgraduate studies were taken at University of Stirling where I gained distinction with an MSc in Housing Studies.

Interests outside work
I like yoga, hillwalking and skiing. Most of my holidays abroad are based around some kind of physical activity!

Favourite saying
“If you don’t do it this year, you’ll just be one year older when you do.” Warren Miller

My role
Housing Options Broker 

What I do
I currently work on the Homeless Housing Options Scotland project where I am a direct point of contact for clients. I work with clients to navigate the homeless process, liaise with local authorities on their behalf and ultimately help clients to explore all housing options available to them.

When I work
Monday to Thursday 8am- 5.30pm 

Best way to reach me
Call or email 

Best thing about my job
I love that no two days are the same! 

My CV highlights
MSc Housing Studies, BA (Hons) Sociology and Social Policy 

Interests outside work
Live music, reading, record collecting and good food! 

Favourite TV show
Gilmore Girls 

My role
Housing Options Broker

What I do
As a Housing Options Broker, my role is to work with our clients to help them understand what housing options may be available to them and to help facilitate this by working with other agencies and local authorities where necessary.

When I work
Monday-Friday 9am-5pm

Best way to reach me
Call or email.

Best thing about my job
I really enjoy the range of cases which we deal with, it is very rewarding to assist our clients in finding a place which they can call their home.

My CV highlights
Msc in Housing Studies, BA (Hons) Sociology and Social Policy.

Interests outside work
I enjoy reading autobiographies and listening to podcasts.

Favourite food
Lentil soup.

My role
Housing Options Broker

What I do
Work directly with our clients to help and support them with their housing options.

When I work
I work Monday to Thursday.

Best way to reach me
Email

Best thing about my job
No two days are the same and we work from home.

My CV highlights
BA in History and English, Postgraduate Diploma in Housing Studies.

Interests outside work
Looking after our Red Fox Labrador puppy, spending time with my family both here and abroad and I love walking and kayaking in Scotland.  

Favourite saying
“We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them!” Albert Einstein. 

My role
Fundraising and Development manager.

What do I do?
I am responsible for all aspects of our fundraising, including completing grant applications and managing the evaluation / monitoring aspects of these. I am also exploring options for introducing new funding streams to the organisation, so watch this space (!)

When I work
I work part time hours at HOS, usually full days on Tuesdays and Fridays.

Best way to reach me
Email.

My CV highlights
I’ve been working on/off at HOS since 2019 and have gained lots of experience and insights in the different roles I’ve taken on here.

Interests outside of work
Recently, I’ve taken up some beginner art classes in my spare time – it’s been a long time since I picked up a paintbrush, but I’ve really enjoyed them.

Favourite food
My colleagues at my other job in the Council know me for the number of oranges I eat in a day.