Glasgow Housing Association (GHA), Scotland’s largest social landlord, has named Barmulloch tenant Bernadette Hewitt as its new chairperson.

Bernadette has been a GHA Board member since May 2014 and succeeds Gordon Sloan, who has retired after six years in the role.

She also chairs GHA’s North East Area Committee and sits on the Local Committee for Barmulloch and Balornock East.

Bernadette said: “I am incredibly proud to become the Chair of GHA and to do my bit to bring about lasting change in the homes and lives of tenants across the city.”

In looking to the future, the new Chair cites her priorities as creating more opportunities for young people, continuing to improve GHA’s 40,000 houses and flats in Glasgow and building thousands of new homes.

She said: “Every day when I step out of my house, I’m reminded of the importance of GHA in many people’s daily lives. When I hear of someone getting the keys to their new home – perhaps the first safe, warm and secure place they’ve lived in – or using the internet to find a job in one of our 36 Click & Connect centres – it underlines the difference we are making to thousands of people’s lives.

“I believe strongly GHA tenants like me can make a positive difference by taking the time to become involved in making their communities better places to live.”

Bernadette, who has five children, was a careers officer who worked with young people and employers, matching skills and boosting employment.She initially became involved with GHA through voluntary work on the parents’ council at her children’s school.It’s one of the reasons she is keen to ensure young people in GHA communities are supported to achieve their potential.

“The silver bullet for our communities is ensuring our young people make the most of their talents,” she said.“We are proud of the fact we doubled our number of Modern Apprentices this year, taking on 41 young people from some of the country’s most deprived communities to work across our parent organisation, Wheatley Group, and its partner organisations.

“In my first weeks in post, I was delighted to meet two of them. Their enthusiasm and talent made me incredibly excited for what lies ahead for this organisation and our tenants.”

GHA Chief Executive Martin Armstrong said: “We are delighted to welcome Bernadette as the new Chair of GHA following six incredible years with Gordon at the helm. I have absolutely no doubt Bernadette will prove, like Gordon, to be an outstanding, passionate leader of this great organisation.”