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Blackwood regains full compliance with the Scottish Housing Regulator’
Blackwood Homes & Care has regained full compliance with the Scottish Housing Regulator’s regulatory standards, marking an important milestone for the organisation.
Blackwood moved out of compliance with regulatory standards in November 2024. Since then, the organisation has undertaken a sustained programme of improvement and has now regained full compliance.
The return to compliance follows focused action to strengthen financial management and governance arrangements, alongside measures to improve efficiency and reduce overhead costs.
Since joining as chief executive in early 2025, Jason MacGilp has led a programme of organisational change to support these improvements. The appointment of Craig MacDonald as chair in September 2025 has continued this approach, maintaining a strong focus on governance and oversight.
These changes, alongside the development of a new Blackwood Business Plan 2025–2028, have positioned the organisation with a clear focus on helping people live life to the full through good quality landlord and care services.
The Regulator will publish its updated engagement plans today, which will reflect Blackwood’s full compliance position.
Jason MacGilp, chief executive of Blackwood Homes and Care, said: “Regaining full compliance is an important milestone for Blackwood. Over the last 12 months, we have taken clear and focused action to improve our financial management and governance.
“This has been a collective effort across the organisation. Colleagues have stayed focused on delivering for our customers while doing the work needed to make these improvements.
“We are now in a good position to build on these foundations and move forward with positivity, maintaining high standards and continue to improve our services.”
Craig MacDonald, chair of Blackwood Homes and Care, said: “This is a positive step forward for Blackwood and reflects a significant amount of work
across the organisation.
“The board has worked closely with the Executive Team to strengthen governance and provide clear oversight throughout this period. Regaining compliance gives confidence in the organisation’s direction and its ability to deliver on its priorities.”
Read Blackwood regains full compliance with the Scottish Housing Regulator’…Building the Future Workforce for Housing and Care
At Blackwood Homes and Care, we believe the future of housing and care depends on the people who choose to work in the sector. As Scotland faces a housing crisis alongside an ageing population, the need for a skilled and compassionate workforce has never been greater. Having the right people in place is essential to supporting individuals to live their lives to the full.
Housing and care offer meaningful, long-term careers, yet they can be overlooked by younger people who may not realise the breadth of opportunity available. From housing services and care delivery to digital innovation, customer experience, finance, marketing, technology and leadership, the sector offers a wide range of pathways where people can build skills, progress professionally and make a genuine difference to people’s lives.
These opportunities are mutually beneficial, helping young people develop confidence and professional skills in a real working environment, work with a wide range of people, and understand the expectations of the workplace, while also enabling them to shape how we work, challenge our thinking and bring fresh perspectives that help us evolve as an organisation.
This focus on early engagement is strongly supported by Fiona Ralph, our Organisational Development Manager, who is passionate about creating opportunities for young people and building awareness of careers in housing and care. Through her work with schools and education settings, Fiona actively seeks out ways to introduce students to the sector, challenge misconceptions and show how housing and care can offer purposeful and rewarding careers. She is particularly keen to connect with organisations that share Blackwood’s values and long-term outlook, recognising that collaboration plays a key role in widening access and opportunity.
Attracting younger people into housing and care is not only important for workforce sustainability, but also for innovation. Diverse perspectives help us think differently about how we design homes, deliver care and use technology to support independent living. Young people bring ideas, energy and insight that are vital if the sector is to respond effectively to changing needs and expectations.
As part of this wider approach, Blackwood recently welcomed MCR Pathways to our office to learn more about their work supporting young people who may face barriers to opportunity through long-term mentoring relationships. MCR Pathways works alongside young people at key points in their lives, helping to build confidence, raise aspirations and provide trusted support as they navigate important transitions. The session gave colleagues valuable insight into the positive impact mentoring can have, not only for young people, but also for mentors themselves. These conversations have encouraged reflection on how employer engagement and mentoring can play a meaningful role in opening up opportunities within housing and care, while also offering staff a rewarding way to use their skills, experience and time to support others.
Some Blackwood colleagues are already involved in mentoring, and we are continuing to explore how learning from organisations like MCR Pathways could align with our ambitions around early engagement, skills development and future workforce planning.
For Blackwood, investing in young people is an investment in the future of housing and care. By creating opportunities, building awareness and listening to new voices, we are helping to shape a sector that is resilient, inclusive and ready for the challenges ahead.
Read Building the Future Workforce for Housing and Care…Michelle Harrow named Director of Housing at Blackwood
Blackwood Homes and Care has appointed Michelle Harrow as its new director of housing services.
Michelle brings significant experience in housing and community leadership, with a strong track record in delivering customer-centred services and driving operational improvement.
Michelle joins Blackwood at an exciting time as the organisation begins to implement its new three-year Strategic Plan (2025-2028). The plan sets out clear objectives focused on delivering excellent housing and care services, investing in people, improving customer experience, and ensuring strong performance, financial resilience and governance across all operations.
She joins from Dundee City Council, where she has held senior housing leadership roles since 2021, most recently as service manager for housing. Michelle also brings experience from national and community organisations, including Shelter Scotland, Action for Children, and Wellhouse Housing Co-operative, and currently serves as chairperson of Dundee Citizens Advice Bureau.
In her new role, Michelle will lead Blackwood’s housing operations, overseeing customer engagement, asset management, and strategic delivery across the organisation’s housing portfolio.
Chief executive Jason MacGilp said the appointment further strengthens Blackwood’s leadership team as it continues to focus on delivering excellent landlord services and positive customer experiences across Scotland.
“We are delighted to welcome Michelle to Blackwood,” he added. “She brings a wealth of sector experience and a deep understanding of how high-quality housing services can improve lives. Her leadership will be central to delivering our strategic objectives and ensuring we continue to provide great homes and great landlord services for our customers.”
Michelle Harrow said:
Read Michelle Harrow named Director of Housing at Blackwood…
I’m thrilled to be joining Blackwood, whose commitment to innovation and creating inclusive communities really resonates with me. I’m excited to be part of an organisation that puts people at the heart of everything it does.
I look forward to working with the team to build on its achievements and to help shape services that make a real difference to people’s lives.
Blackwood Blog
Blackwood Blog: Knitting Her Confidence Back
At Blackwood Homes and Care, we know that wellbeing is about more than just practical support - it’s about feeling connected, confident, and able to enjoy the things that bring purpose and happiness.
One of our long-standing customers recently shared how she had lost her spark for knitting, a hobby that once brought her comfort and pride. For a time, she didn’t feel able to pick up her needles and found herself stuck in a rut.
Recognising how important this was to her, a member of our team gently suggested joining a local knitting group. That small, thoughtful encouragement made all the difference. The group offered her a chance to get out, meet new people, and rediscover her love of making things by hand.
They were so welcoming, and it gave me a real lift.
Now, she’s knitting regularly again and even made wrist warmers as a heartfelt thank-you to our staff, perfect for this chilly season. The photo shows one of our team wearing these beautiful handmade warmers, a symbol of renewed confidence and connection.
At Blackwood, we’re proud to support our customers not just with care, but by encouraging them to live life to the full, doing what they love, and finding joy in everyday moments.
Have a hobby you’d like to return to or share? Talk to your local team - we’re here to help you every step of the way.
Read Blackwood Blog…
Winter Newsletter 2025
The winter edition of the Blackwood Bulletin is out now. Our latest customer newsletter is packed with helpful updates, including energy advice, winter planning tips, and practical information to help you stay safe and well over the colder months. You’ll also find a range of other stories and updates from across Blackwood, all focused on supporting you to live life to the full this winter.