Social housing leader cites need to focus on ‘other aspects of life’ ahead of autumn departure
Sally Thomas has resigned as the chief of the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations.
After eight years in post, she will step back from her role at the head of the organisation this autumn.
Thomas’ career has taken her through roles in housing associations, government agencies and consultancies, before taking up chief executive role at SFHA in 2017.
“After a lot of thought and soul-searching, I have decided to leave SFHA this year to free up time and space for all the other aspects of my life,” she said.
“It’s been an absolute privilege to do a job which aligns so perfectly with my values, professional expertise and personal experience.”
This year marks the SFHA’s 50th anniversary. According to the body, Thomas achieved a significant increase in the body’s membership, which it says now covers close to 100% of the sector.
During her time with SFHA, she co-chaired the Zero Emissions in Social Housing Taskforce, chaired the Social Housing Resilience Group during Covid, co-chaired the Scottish Government’s Social Renewal Advisory Board and participated in the government’s Housing to 2040 Strategic Board, Homelessness Prevention Strategy Group and the Stewarding Group of Scotland’s Climate Assembly.
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Housing minister Paul McLennan thanked her for her “extraordinary contribution” to housing associations in Scotland.
“Sally was instrumental in leading social housing’s early and effective response to the Covid-19 pandemic, protecting tenants and addressing the 4 harms and was a driving force behind the Social Renewal recommendations drawing on the lessons learned from those unprecedented events,” he said.
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