Scottish Housing News is saddened to report the untimely death of former Kingdom Housing Association chairperson Charlie Milne who has died suddenly at the age of 63 while cycling in Spain.

The news of his death on Friday left family, colleagues, friends and members of the community of Cupar, Fife, shocked and stunned.

Charlie became an active board member, and ultimately chair, of Kingdom following his retiral as a solicitor with Baird & Co where he was a partner until 2007.

He was passionate about the provision of affordable housing and recognised the wider health, well-being and education benefits to be gained from people having their own high-quality home.

As such, he was instrumental in leading the increase in Kingdom’s development capacity, to enable the Association to provide as many new homes as possible to meet growing needs.

Charlie was also active in establishing Kingdom’s subsidiary company, Kingdom Support and Care and pursued priorities such as the introduction of the Scottish Living Wage.

Freya Lees, who succeeded Charlie in October 2016 as chair of Kingdom Housing Association, said on behalf of the Board: “We are deeply saddened by this news. Charlie made an enormous contribution to the governance of the Association over many years and we all benefitted from his commitment, knowledge and counsel. Our thoughts are with his family at this time while his friendship, wisdom and humour will be sorely missed by us all.”

Kingdom chief executive, Bill Banks, added: “I have known Charlie for over 25 years. Firstly, in his professional capacity as a solicitor for Kingdom and more recently as a Board member, former chair of KHA and current chair of Kingdom Support and Care.

“Charlie was passionate about many issues and was very supportive of affordable housing, tackling homelessness and providing support and care. Charlie was very well respected by all of Kingdom’s Board members, management and staff and will be greatly missed. Our thoughts are with Charlie’s family and friends who will be devastated by this sudden sad news.”

Charlie was a native of Dundee where he attended Kirkton High school and graduated from the University of Dundee with a degree in law. He was employed as a social worker by Dundee City Council before embarking on a legal apprenticeship in Inverness.

He was a partner in the prominent Fife legal firm of Baird & Co for 17 years. He also served as a children’s panel member, social security tribunals chairperson and a council member of the Scottish Law Agents Society. He was appointed to the Parole Board of Scotland in September 2007.

Charlie was active in his local community serving as chair of Cupar Community Council and also establishing a local Blues club as well as a café for teenagers. He was an active member of North East Fife Labour Party for many years and stood as a candidate for the Scottish Parliament.

He is survived by his wife Irene, sons Christopher and Gareth and two grandchildren. Details of Charlie’s funeral are yet to be announced.