Welcome to WISH Scotland

Kirsty Wells, Director of Consultancy and Partnerships, Housemark

Kirsty has a career spanning over 25 years in the social housing sector and has a PG Diploma in Housing Studies. She is a Chartered Member of the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH), a member of the International Coaching Federation (ICF) and has a Certificate in Professional Coaching Practice.

She is passionate about tenant participation and customer experience having spent thirteen years of her career as a Development Manager with the Tenants Information Service, supporting landlords and tenants in Scotland. She is a skilled facilitator and negotiator, building the capacity of individuals and groups to secure influence and positive outcomes. She worked with numerous landlords and tenants’ organisations in Scotland to develop and implement tenant participation strategies.

Kirsty joined Housemark in 2012 and is currently the Director of Consultancy and Partnerships. She leads a team of staff and Associate Consultants to deliver data-based consultancy projects across the UK, from data analysis into customer service to cultural and digital transformation within social landlords.

Kirsty is a key influencer in Housemark’s partnerships with key sector bodies such as the CIH, the national housing association Federations, regulators and civil servants across the UK. Previously, as Head of Devolved Nations she had responsibility for strategy and operations within Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Kirsty began her career as a Housing Officer in two local authorities and was a CIH Scotland board member for eight years from 2010 to 2018.

When Kirsty’s not at work she can be found wild swimming in the local reservoirs or in the river Forth, near Edinburgh.

I’ve been lucky enough to work in the social housing sector in Scotland for the last 25 years+ in both housing association and local authority environments.  Since 2014, I’ve led the housing management team at Prospect Community Housing, based in West Edinburgh.  As a community-based organisation, I particularly value that we work in partnership with others to develop sustainable tenancies and communities.   

Following my degree, I was inspired by a female housing professional friend of the family to consider a career in housing, so I completed the post graduate Housing Studies diploma and became a Chartered Member of the Chartered Institute of Housing.  I’d never heard of housing as a career prior to that discussion, so I’m delighted to be part of the WISH Board to promote the sector to women as a career which is varied, challenging and never dull.  I am passionate about equality of opportunity and aim to support others to maximise their potential.  I am also a recent addition to the Eildon Housing Association Board.

Outside of housing, I enjoy dog walks with friends, sporting events and spending time with my family.

Nicola is Communications Manager at national charity Children First, which has been protecting Scotland’s children for 140 years.

Nicola has more than 15 years of experience in communications roles in housing, local government, and the third sector in Edinburgh, London, and Manchester.

Her areas of expertise include strategic communications, crisis management, running impactful events and creating campaigns that make a difference.

Nicola is passionate about the work WISH Scotland does to promote gender equality and support women in the housing sector to achieve their career goals.

She holds an MSc in PR and has extensive expertise in communications in the housing sector.

Outside of work, Nicola is an avid reader who loves to travel and spend time socialising with her family and friends.

I've worked in the housing sector for 16 years and at Altro for a decade, promoting adhesive-free flooring which transforms spaces into environments that can improve wellbeing while promoting sustainability. The housing sector plays such an important role in society and while helping to improve people’s quality of life, day in and out, it also creates neighbourhoods and supports people of all walks of life and ages. I’m passionate about supporting women to succeed in this growing sector and am looking forward to working with the rest of the board to support women of all ages working in housing to achieve their goals.

When I’m not working, I enjoy taking my dog on lovely beach walks which we are lucky to have on our doorstep while keeping fit. I also enjoy socialising with friends and family.

Like many within the sector, Victoria, fell in to a career in Housing. After graduating from a degree in History at Aberdeen University she joined Grampian Housing Association in 2014. Victoria has developed a broad knowledge of the social housing sector through diverse roles, from administration to development, eventually finding her calling in business improvement where she now leads the team. The numerous roles have allowed Victoria to gain an understanding of social housing and the communities served from many perspectives.

With a strong passion for a more equal society Victoria has found motivation and inspiration through working for an organisation who shares her personal values. This is also what led her to join WISH where she’s keen to work with the Board and all members to support and empower women working in the sector and who are served by the sector.

Outside of work Victoria is an avid sports fan, especially tennis and football, and has been known to partake in a pub quiz'.

I have worked in Social Housing since I began my career in 2013 and currently work as the Energy & Sustainability Manager at Trust Housing Association. It's incredibly important to me that my work revolves around something which makes an impact and helps the people and the environment around me. I've trained and worked in various specialisms within housing over the last decade - from Service Design and Business Improvement to Performance Management, to Governance in the CEO Office and working closely with the Leadership Team & the Trust Board. I love to be involved in the big picture and strategic work - some days I love working out and about with people, other days I love a cup of tea and a spreadsheet! 

Joining WISH is such a great opportunity to get to know other women in the sector. It's such a supportive environment and one that I didn't know I needed until I came across them!

In my spare time, I live in the countryside with my partner and two dogs (a scruffy Border Terrier and a young Golden Retriever who has looks over brains!). If I'm not in the garden, I'm normally out on a hill walk or I've collapsed in front of a TV series! 

I currently work as the Corporate & Governance Officer at Drumchapel Housing Co-operative. I have worked in the social housing sector for 7 years and have a real passion for the sector. I have experience working in housing management and homelessness services.

In 2019 I gained a post graduate degree in Housing Studies from the University of Stirling, to enhance my knowledge of how housing associations operate  I became a board member with Glen Oaks Housing Association in 2019 and currently hold the office bearers position as Secretary, in addition to this I am a champion member for the Chartered Institute of Housing.

I am passionate about supporting and encouraging women within the sector and I am delighted to have joined the WISH Scotland Board, that encourages and champions women’s success in the sector.

Joanna has been in social housing since the 1990’s having discovered that social housing was a career opportunity whilst at Stirling University completing her degree. Joanna went on to complete the PgDip in Housing and started work as a Development Assistant at Horizon HA. She remembers that time very fondly and is very grateful to her first two managers for their mentoring and supporting her to develop.

Joanna has worked for national, community based, urban, rural and specialist housing associations and has enjoyed the variety this has brought. From the early days of being in development, gaining a MSC in Property Development and PgCert in Management along the way, Joanna has broadened her remit to cover all property and asset management functions.

Joanna is passionate about fairness and equality but also has a pragmatic approach to ensure we can collectively deliver for customers.

Outside of work, Joanna loves to read, theatre, history, spending time with friends and family and attempts to be a gardener.

Like many people working social housing, I fell into the sector - just as the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001 was coming into force. I am keen to promote careers within social housing, particularly for young people.

I am a Locality Housing Manager with Link Group, and previously worked with Hillcrest Homes and Places for People. I'm a member of Chartered Institute of Housing and am a former board member of Edindex. I have always worked in frontline housing services, primarily working in East and Central Scotland. I'm passionate about working collaboratively with others to sustain tenancies and communities. 

A highlight of my career to date was going to Kenya on a volunteering trip to build a new home for a family to replace their existing one that was made of wood and mud. Although the work was physically exhausting, it further reinforced the importance of a home being a safe and healthy environment for people to grow. 

I have loved attending WISH events, getting to know inspirational women in the sector and importantly building supportive relationships. 

Outside of work, I enjoy travelling and spending time with family and friends. 

With a background spanning the private sector and membership organisations, Julie has developed a strong track record in partnership development, stakeholder engagement and delivering services that make a tangible difference to people’s everyday lives. Her work has focused on building strategic partnerships across the housing sector to improve access to affordable broadband and energy-saving solutions, always rooted in understanding community need.

In early 2026, Julie made the decision to leave the private sector and join the National Mining Museum Scotland in Midlothian, bringing her commercial and partnership expertise into a role focused on community impact. Her work centres on connecting people, partners and place, building and strengthening relationships across communities, education and skills partners, public bodies, social enterprises and the wider third sector. Acting as a connector across these networks, she supports communities affected by the legacy of the mining industry, helping to create inclusive, sustainable opportunities shaped by local people while strengthening collaboration and long-term impact.

Julie attended the very first WISH Scotland event in 2022 and has been a regular supporter ever since, continuing to engage with the network to champion collaboration, inclusion and positive change across the sector.

Outside of work, Julie enjoys family life in a small village, with easy access to some of the east of Scotland’s best walking trails and East Lothian’s stunning beaches, where she and her family spend plenty of time, come rain or shine. She also loves to travel, whether short haul, long haul or staycation, and is always eager to discover new places and experiences.