Housing Associations and the Scottish Economy Research Launch
Thursday 3rd September 2026
Professor Duncan Maclennan presented his latest independent research for The David Hume Institute into housing associations’ role in improving Scotland’s economy.
The Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA) commissioned research from the David Hume Institute and global housing expert, Professor Duncan Maclennan to better understand the contribution of housing associations to Scotland’s economy.
Professor Maclennan is an applied economist specialising in housing, neighbourhoods and cities with his professional background involving both senior academic and policy roles in Australia, Canada and the UK.
About the Speakers
Professor Duncan Maclennan
Duncan was a member of the Board of Scottish Homes from 1989 until 1999 and then spent a decade working in government, as special Adviser to the First Minister of Scotland, as a Chief Economist in the Government of Victoria and as Chief Economist in Canada’s Federal Department for Infrastructure and Cities. He has acted as adviser to Ministers in the UK, Scotland, France, Poland and Norway, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. He is a fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, the Academy of Social Sciences and Honorary Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute, The Chartered Institute of Housing and the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors. He was awarded a CBE for services to UK housing research in 1997. He remains affiliated to the University of Glasgow as an Emeritus Professor of Urban Economics and holds Professorial appointments in Housing Economics at McMaster University (Ontario) and UNSW (Sydney).
Richard Meade
Richard Meade is the Chief Executive of the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA). He has over 20 years of experience in charity sector leadership and public policy advocacy in Scotland.
Bryony Willet
Bryony Willet is Home Group’s Director for Scotland. She joined in 2024 from Maryhill Housing Association in Glasgow where she was Chief Executive for seven years. Before this Bryony worked for Islington Council in London. She started out as a Graduate Trainee and working in various roles. One of those roles was Head of Housing Partnerships and Communities.
Nile Istephan
Nile has been Chief Executive of Eildon Housing Association based in the Scottish Borders since 2010, having previously worked in the Scottish Government. Nile leads a staff team of over 260 people working across a range of housing, care and support services.
