Dan Blake

This appointment comes at an exciting time for Housemark, with new innovations launching imminently that aim to improve the homes and lives of all residents across the country.

Dan Blake is executive director of customer experience at Berwickshire Housing Association, with responsibility for the strategic delivery of all housing, repairs services and wider community initiatives.

He began his career in Glasgow’s East End with Milnbank Housing Association, progressing to West Lothian Housing Partnership, Barony Housing Association and latterly Loretto Housing Association, within Wheatley Group.

A proud member of the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIHM), Dan formerly sat on its Board over a two-year term. He has been involved in work with Glasgow and West of Scotland Forum for Housing Associations and more recently he has been an active contributor to the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations ‘Innovation and Future Thinking’ programme and presently sits on the Housing Options Scotland Board in addition to his work with Housemark

Mr Blake succeeds Lorraine Usher, who has been the SAB chair since 2021.

Talking about his appointment, Dan Blake said: “I am delighted to be taking on the role of chair of Housemark’s Scotland Advisory Board. The sector faces significant challenges across both the public policy spectrum, regulatory landscape and indeed the cost-of-living crisis. Our collective response to such issues relies upon quality data-driven solutions to help inform policy direction and improve outcomes for the communities and people we serve.

“Housemark continues to be the leading data and insight company for the UK housing sector, I feel very privileged to be supporting the work of the organisation and my colleagues on the SAB in my new capacity as chair. Our aim is to continue to develop the outstanding service offer to existing members and customers in Scotland, whilst growing awareness of the fantastic benefits of working with Housemark.”

Kirsty Wells, director of consultancy and Partnerships at Housemark, added: “Housemark is delighted that Dan has been selected by members of our Scotland Advisory Board to succeed Lorraine Usher as chair. We’d like to thank Lorraine for the contribution she has made since 2016 as a member of the inaugural SAB, and more recently over the last two years as chair.

“Dan is a worthy successor to Lorraine and will be a familiar face to many in the sector through his various positions in RSLs in Scotland as well as his previous membership of the CIH Scotland board. I am looking forward to working with Dan over the coming months and years as he takes on this key ambassadorial role for Housemark in Scotland.”