One of Osprey Housing’s longest-serving board members has stepped down after nearly 20 years’ service.

Bill Chapman - board chair for the past three years — became a tenant of Osprey forerunner Aberdeenshire Housing Partnership tenant in 2000. He joined the AHP board in March 2002 and immediately helped drive the organisation in a direction that recognised the importance of listening to, engaging with, and being responsive to tenants’ needs.

Vice-chair Mike Scott paid tribute to Mr Chapman, who stepped down at Osprey’s annual general meeting on 25 September. He said: ‘Bill has been a truly pivotal figure for the association.

‘His passion and commitment to Osprey, and to our tenants, has been inspirational. As chair he has demonstrated excellent leadership qualities and overall has played a hugely effective and influential role.

‘He has been very much at the heart of everything the Osprey Group has achieved to date and has helped steer us to the excellent position we are now in.’

Mr Chapman has also been actively involved in the wider tenant movement where his commitment has earned the respect of national agencies in Scotland and beyond.

His drive and enthusiasm contributed to the creation of North East Tenants, Residents and Landlords Together (NETRLT), an award-winning partnership of tenants, residents and landlords working together for mutual benefit.

Mr Chapman has been on the board of the Tenant Participation Advisory Service (TPAS), was a previous tenant assessor with the Scottish Housing Regulator and has continued to work alongside the regulator as a member of their Regional Network Tenant Liaison Group. He also served on the Scottish Social Housing Charter Sounding Board formulating the Charter, which came into effect in 2012.

Osprey CEO Glenn Adcook said: ‘It has been an absolute privilege to work with Bill. He has been steadfast and selfless in his approach to championing tenants’ interests, improving social housing standards and continually seeking to improve Osprey as an organisation.

‘We are sad to see him step down but recognise he has his wife, family, and his own health to consider and we wish him the very best.’

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