Osprey Housing Group has appointed current executive director Glenn Adcook to the role of chief executive.

The Group owns and manages nearly 2,000 properties across Aberdeenshire, Aberdeen City and Moray.

Mr Adcook takes on the top job with effect from September 1 following the retirement of current CEO Colin Hawkins.

Osprey chairman Bill Chapman said: “We were pleasantly surprised at the amount of interest shown in the role from throughout the UK and had an exceptionally strong shortlist of candidates at the final interview stage, but Glenn’s wide experience, not just of the Group, but of housing issues in the north east and extensive sector experience across Scotland made him the stand out candidate.

“On behalf of the Board I’d like to congratulate him on this appointment and we look forward to working closely with him going forward to serve the needs of our tenants and other stakeholders.”

A native of Newcastle upon Tyne, Mr Adcook moved to the Aberdeen area 22 years ago and has previously held senior roles in a wide range of organisations including a local authority, a new town development corporation and a private sector consultancy. He joined Osprey, in its former guise of Aberdeenshire Housing Partnership, in February 2011.

He said: “I’m both delighted and deeply honoured to have been given this opportunity. I’m looking forward to working closely with the Osprey Group Governing Bodies, our partners and our very talented staff team in tackling the major housing challenges that lie ahead. There is much to do and I will be agreeing with the Board key priorities for implementing commitments in our recently launched corporate plan. These will include a focus on continuous service improvement, increased tenant engagement and building new homes across Aberdeenshire, Aberdeen City and Moray.”

He also paid tribute to Colin Hawkins, who he succeeds as CEO: “On behalf of all involved with the Osprey Group I want to thank Colin for everything he has done to help get us where we are today. He leaves a fantastic legacy and will be a hard act to follow as we continue to evolve, but I’m relishing the task.”

Mr Adcook is a fully qualified housing professional and Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Housing.