Elspeth’s housing career began in March 1979 when she took up a post of house lettings assistant in Glasgow District Council, at that time the biggest municipal landlord in Western Europe.

In 1986, she gained promotion to the role of depute district housing manager overseeing a patch of 4,000 tenancies and managing 60 staff. In 1992 she moved over into the housing association sector to GAP Housing Association which subsequently was merged into Link Housing Association.

During this period of rapid growth in both housing associations she managed to fit in the time to study and in 1997 she was awarded the Diploma in Housing Studies at the University of Glasgow.

In November 2001, Elspeth joined the housing management team at Whiteinch & Scotstoun Housing Association. Working in the heart of a local community gave Elspeth enormous satisfaction, and never one to shirk a challenge in 2003 she was appointed into her role as housing manager at Hillhead Housing Association, a job she has held to this date.

As part of a new stock transfer housing association Elspeth was starting from a clean sheet and successfully built up systems and procedures that undoubtedly contributed to the success of the Association.

Long before it was a mainstream service Elspeth oversaw the introduction of Hillhead’s in-house welfare rights service and identified early on the need for additional tenancy support services, both of which continue to this day.

Stephen Macintyre, director at Hillhead Housing Association, said: “Through lots of hard work, grit and determination, Elspeth and her team quickly managed to achieve excellent results in all the key areas of service delivery and she leaves a lasting legacy. On top of that has been a wonderful colleague and friend.”

Chairperson Claire Taylor added: “Elspeth will be remembered with great fondness and leaves a well resourced and committed team behind. We wish Elspeth all the best in her retirement.”