One of Aberdeen City Council's most senior housing officers has been appointed chairman of the Chartered Institute for Housing in Scotland.

Craig Stirrat, head of service for planning and policy for housing, described the appointment as "the pinnacle of my career".

Craig, who has spent his entire career working in the social housing field, said: "It's great to be part of such a historical and long-standing professional body. It's like standing on the shoulders of giants. I am extremely proud to be given the confidence of my peers to take on this role as chair to lead the CIH in Scotland. I see it as the pinnacle of my career to be recognised as a leading housing professional in Scotland.

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"I'm committed to doing my best over the period of my chairmanship to promote the housing profession both at the highest political level and the local organisational level with the outcome at the end of the day is to raise the standard and quality of housing and life overall in Scotland.

"I have over 20 years experience of local government housing and I'm proud to be working in this field."

Craig, the CIH regional rep for North-east Scotland, was appointed to the chairman's post unopposed by his peers. He has been on the CIH board national base unit (the Scottish arm of the national body) since 1999.

The keen runner is relishing the challenges of combining his demanding job with the chairmanship, and juggling his responsibilities to provide the best result for both Aberdeen City Council and the CIH.

The authority has supported Craig by enabling him to attend meetings and chair events, something he greatly appreciates. His understanding wife and family have also greatly supported him in his career and are extremely proud of the prestigious and demanding position he now holds.

Craig, who was born in Glasgow and raised in Fife, has lived and worked in the Granite City for 20 years. He regards Aberdeen as his adopted home and is particularly pleased that he can raise the profile of the region at a national level - he is the first North-east regional rep to chair the CIH.

(GK/JM)