Originally training as an accountant and graduating with an MBA from Heriot Watt University in 1993 Heather moved in to the field of economic development, with a particular focus on entrepreneurship and new business creation. She became the Director of Business Development at Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce in 2002. In 2007 she joined Castle Rock Edinvar Housing Association, Part of the Places for People Group, as Head of Neighbourhood Regeneration where she has developed her housing and place making knowledge gaining an MSc Business for Housing and membership of the Chartered Institute of Housing.
Having an intrinsic desire to influence and deliver social change to improve people’s lives she has collaboratively worked to deliver successful housing and community led regeneration in Twechar, East Craigs, North Edinburgh, Wester Hailes and Craigmillar. Her most recent area of interest has been improving affordable housing for independent living for older people evidenced through the award winning Fortune Place Development in Moredun.
Heather is not only interested in the physical transformation of place but the social value and impact that can be created through wider involvement and engagement. She was instrumental in the creation of the Armadale Shed, a now successful community run town centre asset in West Lothian and implemented a digital inclusion strategy that saw affordable wi-fi to the home implemented across Castle Rock Edinvar’s sheltered housing stock.