Shona Mitchell comes with a wealth of experience across national and local government priorities, strategies, policy, legislation, and regulation.

The former journalist was the policy lead at the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations for seven years before joining Home in Scotland this week.

Prior to that, she was the policy and communications advisor working in the European parliament, after leaving her joint role as press officer and parliamentary assistant and researcher in the Scottish parliament.

Shona will be responsible for ensuring Home in Scotland’s strategic priorities align with external policy and regulatory environments.

Audrey Simpson, director of Home in Scotland, said: “We’re delighted that Shona has joined us, especially so early on in our new five-year plan.

“Shona has great experience across the political environment, stakeholder engagement, and in particular, brings a sound understanding of the policy landscape relating to social housing in Scotland.

“I know these attributes, along with her astute horizon scanning, will identify significant opportunities for Home in Scotland, which will help us to achieve our mission to build homes, independence and aspirations across the country.”

Shona Mitchell said: “I’m very pleased to join Home in Scotland and it’s a great opportunity to utilise my sector knowledge and relationships to build upon their record of delivering new homes and supporting customers and communities.

“There are a number of external challenges impacting housing associations, but Home in Scotland remains committed to continuing to deliver excellent services for customers, and I look forward to being involved in this work.”

Home in Scotland has clear plans to deliver across a range of areas over the next five years. It expects to deliver 450 homes alone in 2023/24 across Scotland, which include a mix of social rent and mid-market rent.

Thanks to a £15 million loan through the Charitable Bond programme funded by the Scottish Government, Home in Scotland also aim to build around 900 homes across the country over the next five years - again, a mix of social rent and mid-market rent.

The Charitable Bond programme provides simple, unsecured loans to housing associations for up to 15 years, the key element being the interest paid over the life of the loan funds a grant programme for social housing subsidies.

Investment will continue in their regeneration programme. Home in Scotland is close to the completion of a major regeneration programme in Glasgow’s Estate Balornock, regarded as one of the largest regenerations in Scotland to date.

It is also carrying out its first major retrofit project this year as it continues on its long-term journey to help deliver net zero by 2045.