Following a Strategic Options Appraisal which confirmed Kingdom had strong financial plans and would be able to further develop its strategy and continue to deliver on the Kingdom Group’s ambitious Corporate Plan, a robust recruitment and selection process was completed and the Kingdom Board is pleased to confirm the appointment of the next chief executive.

Tom Barclay is well known in the sector and has previously held positions as group director of property & development with Wheatley Group and CEO at Clyde Valley HA.

Kingdom Housing Association chair Linda Leslie said: “I’m delighted that Tom will be joining Kingdom Group as only its third chief executive in 43 years. Throughout that time, Kingdom has had a clear focus on providing excellent services to its tenants and customers and building much needed high quality, energy efficient, affordable housing in the communities it serves.

“Innovation and collaboration are at the core of the organisation and through projects like the ground-breaking Naumann Initiative which provides homes, jobs and support to people who have been homeless, it is working towards its mission of ‘More than a home’. The Group has an ambitious five-year Corporate Plan and I am confident that Tom will lead the organisation to deliver that successfully.

Ms Leslie added: “On behalf of the boards of the Group I would like to acknowledge Bill Banks’ huge contribution to the organisation during his 36 years at Kingdom. Among the many awards Kingdom received last year it is a fitting tribute to Bill’s leadership in his time as chief executive that Kingdom was awarded Housing Provider of the year by the Chartered Institute of Housing in Scotland in 2022.”

Speaking about his appointment, Tom Barclay said: “It is a privilege to be appointed as Kingdom Group’s new chief executive. Bill will be an incredibly tough act to follow, having led the organisation with distinction during his time with Kingdom, to multiple award-winning successes and impacting thousands of people’s lives through his focus on serving Kingdom’s communities.

“I now very much look forward to building on that legacy and to working closely with a top-class Kingdom staff team, Board members and our partners across the region to continue the delivery of our mission to provide More than a Home.”

Bill Banks will remain in post until the end of March and Tom Barclay will start on 1 March to allow a planned handover process.