James McGeough, Elderpark’s director of finance and corporate services, leaves later this month after 20 years with the Association.

Prior to joining Elderpark, James had a varied career within construction, private business and a period with several other housing associations before he found himself at home in Govan in the early 2000s.

James has played a major role within Elderpark during his time with the Association. His achievements include securing millions of pounds of private finance and funding to support the building of many new homes, the development of information and communication technology systems and managing the Finance, Corporate and ICT functions.

Elderpark chief executive, Gary Dalziel, said: “Like everyone at Elderpark we are disappointed to see James leave. I think the measure of someone’s contribution is often what his colleagues say about them when they are leaving. For James the words respected, supportive, kind and genuine are just a few of those personal qualities which have made him such a valuable team member and friend to his colleagues.

“From a professional perspective the phrases you want to hear for the director responsible for managing the money within Elderpark also apply to James and throughout his time with us he has made sensible decisions, focused on the needs of our community and at all times worked superbly with colleagues to reach the best possible outcome.”

“We are - and have been - a financially-strong organisation and this is testament to James and all the colleagues he has managed over the last twenty years. Finding someone who can replicate the attributes he has displayed daily will be a challenge for us.”

Elderpark chairperson Maureen McDonald added: “James has made the sometimes difficult finance topics easy and has helped me and the many Committee members he has known over the years. Everyone at Elderpark would like to wish him well for the future.”

Reflecting on his time at the Association, James said: “It’s the closing of a door to leave Elderpark Housing, but as the philosophers say as one door closes another opens. I’ve enjoyed my time at the Association and hopefully helped make the organisation one that strives to do the best for its tenants and service users. I’d like to thank the Committee and my colleagues at Elderpark both now and over the years for their support and wish them every success in their future endeavours.”

The recruitment process for a new director of finance and corporate services is underway and the Association hopes to have someone in post around Spring next year.