Paula Oliver was only the Association’s seventh staff member and has seen it grow from just 200 homes into the group it is today, not just a housing association but with R3 as a thriving subsidiary maintenance company and a Care & Repair service too. Her last day in the office is 30 June 2023.

But as one chapter ends, another starts with the appointment of Gary Alison as ELHA’s new director of finance & corporate services. Succession planning for all posts within ELHA is an important part of the Association’s corporate strategy, so recruitment began at the tail end of last year and after a rigorous recruitment process. Gary Alison has been in post since May 2023 to ensure a smooth transition.

Gary Alison joins ELHA having worked in the social housing sector for the last seven years with Loreburn Housing Association, with roles including head of finance and procurement, director of finance and corporate services and latterly as director of property & development.

Having been the lead on numerous digital transformation projects across Finance, Asset Management and organisational level, Gary Alison is eager to bring this experience to continue ELHA’s approach in these areas.

Gary Alison said: “When the ELHA opportunity arose and I learned more about ELHA’s digital engagement with tenants, Key Tenant Scheme and recently the Rent Collector app, I knew this was something I wanted to be involved in.”

Chief executive, Martin Pollhammer, added: “Whilst I’m delighted to welcome Gary to ELHA, and I think it speaks volumes about our standing in the sector that we were able to attract such an excellent candidate to the post, it is of course difficult for all of us at ELHA to see such a long-standing colleague leave, and also for those in the wider sector that know Paula through the various forums and groups she has contributed to over the years.

“She joined a small, emerging housing association, and leaves behind a strong, independent Group with a bright future ahead of it. I hope that future will turn out to be her greatest achievement.”

Paula Oliver commented: “It has been a pleasure and a privilege to work for ELHA. In this time, I’ve met and worked with numerous fantastic people, both within the organisation and throughout the sector, not least the voluntary Management Committee members who give so much and without whom there would be no ELHA.

“It’s going to be quite a change for me but I’m looking forward to this next phase of my life and the opportunity to spend more time walking the hills and coastline of East Lothian and visiting family and friends across the country and beyond. I wish Gary every success in his new role.”