During his 17 years as chief executive, Alastair led the housing stock transfer to ACHA from Argyll and Bute Council between 2004 and 2006.

He has worked in the housing sector for 37 years; 32 of these as a chief executive of which he spent 15 years at Queens Cross Housing Association in Maryhill, Glasgow and 17 more latterly with ACHA.

Alastair’s first interest in housing emerged when he led a rent strike at Glasgow University in 1981 in protest at high rents, poor housing conditions and a lack of affordable housing for students. That experience, along with his work in support groups during the miners’ strike in 1984 convinced him on entering a career in housing. Under the direction of Dave Alexander, he completed the Diploma in Housing Administration at Stirling University. That led to his first post in housing as a development officer in Linthouse, Glasgow.

During his time in housing, he was also a board member of the Glasgow Housing Association, Blochairn Housing Association, Sandyford Housing Association and Oban Housing Association. He was also the vice chair of the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations and served as the Scottish representative on CECODHAS, the European Federation of Housing Associations. Alastair also served as an Office Bearer of the Rural & Islands Housing Associations Forum (RIHAF).

Alastair MacGregor said: “It has been the honour of my working life to have worked for so long in the tenant-led community-based housing association sector in Scotland. I have met and worked with so many dedicated people, tenants, colleagues, voluntary board members and Elected Members. I would like to thank all of them for the support they have given me. Housing is the most important base of the pyramid of life. If we don’t get housing right then so much else in life is very difficult.”

He added: “I turned 60 recently, a landmark for reflection. I decided it was the right time to pass on the baton. I have no plans to sit with my slippers on, smoking a pipe. I am an active crofter and I also want to do some private work in the not-for-profit sector.”

On December 9 the ACHA board agreed to move forward with the recruitment of a new chief executive for the ACHA Group which they hope will tie in with Alastair’s retirement next Summer.

Councillor Roddy McCuish, ACHA’s chair, said: “Alastair will be sorely missed as will his knowledge of Argyll and Bute and its people. He leaves behind him a great legacy of providing good quality homes for all right across Argyll and Bute.

“On a personal note, I will miss his guidance in all matters not just housing. This has been invaluable to me in my role as an elected member since I first joined ACHA in 2007.

“One bit of wisdom I did not listen to when he told me often how great his beloved Partick Thistle was!

“I am sure after a lifetime in public service, working for the good of others we will see Alastair involved in other roles.”