News

2025 Sept Ascent Leadership photo

Leadership is firmly in focus at Rural Stirling

23 September 2025

Creating the very best leadership has been given a renewed focus here at Rural Stirling Housing Association.

We have embarked on a transformative programme of “leading with intent” in what is the first phase of a cultural change endeavour.

RSHA has teamed up with leadership development professionals Ascent Leadership to drive forward leadership excellence.

Already, the senior management team has undergone strategic leadership development work in keeping with our forward-thinking agenda as we embrace and seek to enhance our strong governance credentials.

Importantly, your Board members have been involved in the process through a series of “taster sessions” and there are plans to roll out leadership development to other members of staff.

Our Chief Executive Donna Birrell explained: “Good leadership, whether it is from senior staff or a Board of Management, has a crucial impact on the operation of any organisation.

“Our customers expect the very best service possible and we strive to deliver that at all times across our range of services from building affordable homes to a fast and efficient repairs service to our vital community regeneration work.

“So we were delighted to engage with Kate Carmichael of Ascent Leadership as she brings her expertise and knowledge of how we can increase leadership capability across our organisation.

“The sessions have been extremely worthwhile as we develop a positive culture shift towards intent-based leadership.

“It also has the added benefit of improving senior leadership succession planning.”

RSHA Chair Fiona Boath who has a long history of volunteering both outside and within the housing sector praised the work RSHA and Ascent were doing together.

Fiona said: “Having completed my first year as Chair I have learned a great deal about the role which is rewarding and challenging at the same time.

“Ascent Leadership have brought a fresh perspective to leadership and we greatly value the knowledge which it is bringing to the work we do as a housing provider. It will undoubtedly help us face the future with renewed confidence.”

Kate Carmichael said: ““Leading with Intent is the first phase of a cultural change programme, and we have started with the senior team.

“While everyone shapes culture, leaders have a disproportionate influence—through their behaviour, decisions, and what they choose to prioritise.

“I’m especially pleased to see members of the Board engaging in this work. Their alignment and visible support will be critical as the senior team leads the way.

“I can introduce new language and tools, but lasting change depends on what this team does next. I’m excited to see how they will bring this to life over the coming months—because that’s when it becomes real work and meaningful change, not a tick-box exercise.”

Pictured: FOCUS ON LEADERSHIP…..(left to right) Gerry Casey, Deputy Chief Executive/Director of Finance and Corporate Services; Craig Wood, Director of Housing and Property Services; Chief Executive Donna Birrell; Chair Fiona Boath and Board Member Margaret Vass OBE

STIRLING COUNCIL LEADER PRAISES WORK OF RSHA

AGM hears of Councillor Gerry McGarvey’s admiration and “personal fondness” for housing association

THE work of Rural Stirling Housing Association has been praised by the Leader of Stirling Council.

Delivering the keynote address at our 35th AGM held in Callander, he told of his admiration for the work we have undertaken over three and a half decades in serving the community and delivering affordable housing.

Councillor McGarvey called RSHA a “beacon” for Stirlingshire’s rural communities and that we were – in the true spirit of community-based housing providers - motivated by good intentions to make a difference in many people’s lives.

He reminded the meeting that over the years RSHA had grown our housing stock to almost 700 homes and that “Stirling Council wants to see that figure grow as good housing transforms lives”.

Councillor McGarvey added: “I have a personal fondness for RSHA and we will continue to work closely with you. Be assured that the voice of RSHA will be heard. We genuinely believe in the value of the work you do.”

In her address, having completed a first year as Chairperson, Fiona Boath spoke of a ”testing” year for so many people with the ever-present cost of living challenges.

Fiona said: “It is well recognised that constructing small housing developments in rural areas remains difficult. Despite ongoing support, the housing shortage persists, and the cost-of-living crisis continues to affect our tenants, customers, and the Association financially. These issues, among others, continue to test our resilience.

“Managing this situation has required significant effort from our staff, and I want to thank them for their dedication in maintaining our services over the past year.

“We understand the importance of building new affordable homes in our rural communities with 14 new properties at McQueen Way, Croftamie occupied in December. Funding for our forthcoming Balmaha development was secured in Spring this year, representing a major step forward for this project that has been in the pipeline since I joined the Board! I am excited to see it finally moving forward.

“The development of 11 homes at Lampson Road, Killearn is well underway and due for completion this autumn. It will bring more new homes where they are so badly needed.

“Whilst building new homes, we mustn’t lose sight of our existing homes and continue to upgrade these properties, replacing windows & doors at 34 homes, along with boiler replacement at a further 22 homes. The planned maintenance programme expenditure amounted to £500,000.

Fiona added: “The Board of Management is a great team of volunteers. We have a good mix of people with relevant professional expertise, some of whom are also tenants, who commit many hours to overseeing the strategic direction of the organisation. And there are currently vacancies for individuals who would like to join the Board to support our community-based housing.

“At this AGM, however we say goodbye to Ken Butler who has served on our Board for 4 years, to Susan Macmillan who has served for 10 years, and to Linda Anderson - one of our longest standing Board Members who will be stepping down after an incredible 21 years. We thank them all for their dedication and commitment to the Board of Management over their years of service.

The AGM also heard from RSHA’s external financial auditors who gave the Association a clean bill of health in terms of its finances.

Another stand out achievement during the year was the continuing success of “My Rural” – the Association’s online self-service portal.

This innovative gateway - accessible online - is available round the clock and provides customers with the opportunity to pay rent, check what they owe, report a repair and generally manage their tenancy.

The Association is encouraging more tenants to sign up and register for the free service.

Meanwhile, in our recently published Annual Report for 2024-25 – we can reveal we have put a colossal sum of money back into tenants’ pockets through what’s known as our “income maximisation service”.

Remarkably, through this free and confidential service, we have recorded £325,456 being obtained for tenants - often as a result of State benefits they did not know they were entitled to claim

Donna Birrell, our Chief Executive, said “This astonishing sum achieved in just one year demonstrates our commitment to our tenants as we endeavour to help people claim money to which they are entirely entitled and in many instances ease financial pressure.”

2025 Garden Competition Winners announced at the AGM were:

Best Individual Garden: