Craig was born and grew up in the Orkney Islands. He has been our Chief Executive since October 2015, having joined as Director of Operations in April 2014. He is passionate about helping people, providing great customer experiences and working to eliminate Child poverty in our society. These values are reflected within Craig’s career to date and his commitment to delivering quality affordable housing and services in Orkney.

After graduating with a BA Accounting degree, Craig worked in Scotland and North America in variety of senior and leadership roles in different sectors. These have included Director-level roles in Tourism and property development. He has also served as a Board member in NHS Orkney, Highlands & Islands Enterprise and as Inaugural Chair of a new Scottish Government Agency, Children’s Hearings Scotland.

In 2014, Craig set up a new Charity to tackle Child poverty and hardship in Orkney. He is currently the Chairman of Orkney Charitable Trust, which has raised and distributed over £100,000 in our community and delivers its flagship “Every Child Deserves a Christmas” programme.

Outwith work, Craig enjoys charitable work and spending time exploring outdoors and on Orkneys smaller islands with his young family. He is a member of the Institute of Directors and Director of Destination Orkney. Craig serves as Deputy Lieutenant of Orkney, and blindly persists in travelling Europe following the dream that the Scotland national football team might eventually qualify for a major finals.

“My perfect day would simply involve being out on my favourite beach in Sanday, Orkney on a calm, sunny day with my family and a picnic.”

I began my career in finance at a local accounting practice in Orkney. I then completed a bachelor’s degree in accounting at Edinburgh Napier University. After this, I self-studied and qualified as a chartered accountant with ACCA.

I have enjoyed an interesting and fast paced career in banking and financial services with industry leaders including Morgan Stanley and Close Brothers. Although, being a proud Orcadian, I have always looked forward to moving back home.

I am incredibly excited to join OHAL as the new Director of Finance, and I look forward to contributing to the Association’s future success.

Out with work, I enjoy long dog walks (in summer weather), playing sport and top of the list would probably be cooking/ eating a good Sunday roast.

My working career began as Accounts Junior with a local family firm in 1991 until joining OHAL in 1997, as Office Manager. I held the post of Corporate Services Manager from 2006 until becoming Head of Corporate Governance in 2016 when I also took on the role of Company Secretary. Our Corporate Governance team are responsible for supporting Committee members, governance matters, human resources, providing safe working practices, ICT and communications and engagement. With regards to qualifications I have a Certificate of Credit “Leadership in Board Governance” from Napier University, a CIPFA accredited, Certificate in Corporate Governance and HND in Administration & Information Management.

In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with family and friends and exploring Orkney’s beautiful islands.

Richard joined Orkney Housing Association in May 2004, having previously worked for 11 years for a local consulting Structural and Civil Engineer following studying at Edinburgh University. He was appointed as Technical Services Manager in 2006 and Development & Properties Manager in 2017. During his time at the Association he has overseen our housing stock more than double in size and we celebrated the building of our 1000th house in 2017. He manages the team who are responsible for the day to day maintenance of our properties as well as supervising our new developments. His spare time is taken up with family and friends, sailing and as part of the stage crew at various local events.

Fraser joined as Care and Repair Manager in March 2019.

He has held many management roles in retail and in the Third Sector since moving to Orkney in 1998.

I am truly delighted to be back working in the Third Sector, working with the Care and Repair team, and our wider partners to assist and help homeowners repair, improve or adapt their homes so that they can continue to live in comfort and safety in their own community.

After graduating from university with distinction in Architectural Technology and Building Performance (MSc), Dean worked as an Architectural Technologist for an architectural firm in Glasgow before returning home to Orkney in 2016. Dean was most recently a Planning Officer with Orkney Islands Council, working in that department for seven years, and brings a lot of transferable skills and knowledge to his current position as Building Services Manager at Orkney Housing Association.

Being Orcadian born and bred, Dean is looking forward to making a positive contribution to the sector and for the people who call Orkney home.

Tracey is a committed housing professional and chose to specialise in this career following the completion of her first Degree. She obtained her Postgraduate Diploma in Housing with Distinction in 2000 and completed an MSc in Housing in 2001. Her MSc dissertation on the Impact of the Extension of the Right to Buy was submitted as evidence to the Scottish Government and contributed to its suspension in 2011 and withdrawal in 2016.

Tracey has worked in a several housing associations across Scotland, both community based and national specialist housing providers. She was also a Policy Officer with the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA). Prior to joining OHAL in April 2024, Tracey led the Housing Support team at Almond Housing Association where she co-developed Housing First for Youth with Rock Trust. The success of this project led to its adoption by several Local Authorities across Scotland and the model has also been replicated internationally.

In her spare time, Tracey enjoys spending time with her two retired Greyhounds and immersing herself in a good book.