Continuing our series of Just A Minute profiles is Stephen Herriot, head of operations at PfH Scotland.

Which newsletters do you receive? Scottish Housing News, Scottish Business News, Scottish Government Daily Update, HouseMark Scotland “In-Brief”, CIH News and Views, Construction Industry News and Utility News.

How did you get started in the industry? I’m new to the housing sector, having spent the majority of my career in the aerospace/defence, electronics and utilities sectors. I’m excited by the opportunity to make a real difference to our members and their tenants across the country.

Biggest professional achievement: I’ve got a few, however the most recent that sticks in my mind is delivering significant savings and supply chain efficiencies to the UK Ministry of Defence across multiple commodities and critical services. I’m looking forward to applying my experience to the housing sector and achieving new goals with PfH Scotland.

Best advice you received: Never take no for answer.

What is the most important part of the industry? The people! This is a people-to-people business, which is based on delivering a quality product and a value for money service. I’m keen to show the sector that strategic procurement and an efficiently managed supply chain can deliver much of this value.

I’ll be encouraging investment in procurement training so people working for housing associations have the skills and knowledge to deliver tangible benefits through better supply chain management.

What do you like most about your job? The chance to deliver sustainable cost benefits to our members. I want to help them increase their investment in people, properties and services.

And least? I’m too new, so nothing thus far.

What you would most like to change in housing? Every organisation should aim to have procurement and supply chain representation at board level. It’s strategically important this happens sooner rather than later as I see the regulations and legislation only getting tighter in the future.

What future issues do you see arising in housing? One of the biggest issues is compliance to new procurement legislation. The Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act came into force in April this year and landlords need to conform to the new rules now. It represents a considerable change to the way the sector procures contracts and smaller landlords, particularly those without a procurement team, may find compliance a challenge. My team is working with housing associations to help them to adapt their processes and practice as quickly as possible.

How would you change Scottish Housing News? More focus on procurement issues and challenges within the Scottish housing sector!

Do you read a daily newspaper? No, only the Sunday Herald and Scotsman. I tend to keep track of daily news using the internet on my phone or tablet.

Which social media sites do you use? Twitter, LinkedIn, and, on occasion, Facebook.

Which is the most useful for you? LinkedIn, as it’s good for communicating with my business network and making new contacts who share the same profession and sector.

Hobbies and interests: Golf and walking/going to the gym, interests mainly around football and DIY.

Favourite holiday destination: Italy, I like a good red wine!