DIRECTORS
Dr Lindsey McPherson
Chairperson
Dr Lindsey McPherson was born in Aberdeen and attended Aberdeen High School for Girls before going on to complete a BEd, MSc, DBA and DPS academic qualifications.
She has had a full career in education specializing in international capacity building, national initiatives in aspect of further and higher education in Scotland, Oman, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. Further, She has experience of running private, public, not for profit, and charities in a multicultural environment.
Mike Scott
Vice Chair
Mike spent almost 30 years in Local Government in Inverness, Angus and Aberdeen, nearly 25 as a Chief Officer in Planning, Housing and Health & Social Care and in January 2006 he took early retirement.
He is now a Company Director of SCARF, the DPHS in Aberdeen and Aberdeen Heat & Power Ltd. He is currently Chair of SCARF Enterprise Scotland and Osprey Housing. He also previously held an NHS Grampian Board appointment and was on the Housing and Property Chamber for Scotland.
Mike is married with 3 adult kids and a granddaughter. He is an avid music lover, especially the blues, and a football fan.
Michael Murray
Treasurer
Michael has worked in a variety of management roles within Aberdeen City Council supporting the people of Aberdeen with their housing. The different roles have covered Housing Management, Homelessness, Housing Support, Housing Access amongst others. Michael hopes that he will be able to bring new ideas and energy to DPHS and continue it’s great work.
Julie Montgomery
Julie joined DPHS in 2020. Julie works for Aberdeenshire Council as a Sheltered Housing Coordinator and previously worked in the Health and Social Care sector for many years.
Julie has known of the work of DPHS for a considerable time. Julie lives in Maud in Aberdeenshire.
Paul McMenemy
Paul moved with his family from his home in London 23 years ago and studied Administration and Computing at Aberdeen College for 3 years. Paul is an Aberdeen City Council Tenant and is currently the Tenant Volunteer Chairperson of the Aberdeen Housing Services Review Group.
As well as being Vice Chair of DPHS Aberdeen he also Chairs the Housing Performance and Budget Group. Paul is a Community Councillor and is Vice Chair for Northfield Community Council. Involved in The Health & Social Care Partnership. He is a patient representative of Northfield Medical Practice with the communication group for the new GP Practice being built. Vice Chair of St Machar Parents Support Project.
Councillor Steve Delaney
MEMBERS
Jean Morrison MBE
Jean was an elected member with Aberdeen City Council for 5 years from 2012 – 2017. She was also CEO of SCARF a fuel poverty charity based in Aberdeen and was awarded an MBE for services to energy efficiency in Scotland.
Her interests include housing and health issues of disabled people, alleviation of fuel poverty, reading and travelling.
Mary Duguid
Mary Duguid, Senior Occupational Therapist in Vascular and Amputee Rehabilitation. Based at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary and works also at Links Unit Woodend providing Occupational Therapy Service to the amputee rehabilitation beds there.
Mairi Forbes
Mairi worked for many years with Aberdeen City Council, mainly in Housing/ Housing Repairs. She also spent some years as a Business Support Manager at one of Aberdeen City Council's secondary schools, moving from the local authority to work in the HR Profession, initially as part of UNISON, Cornerstone for a short period of time prior to moving back into Oil and Gas as an HR Advisor/Business Partner.
STAFF
Shirley Finlayson
Manager
Shirley has been in post at DPHS Aberdeen since 2004. She has established a good working relationship with local housing providers, health care providers and disabled clients.
Her previous positions with Stewart Milne Homes as Low-Cost Housing Co-Ordinator and with Barratt Homes as a Sales Executive provided a knowledge of housing provision in the City. Subsequently she spent 5 years as Supervisor at Homechoice (a Common Housing Register in Aberdeen) where she gained an insight into provision of social housing in the City. She is member of the Chartered Institute of Housing and is qualified in Level 4 Certificate of Housing (Distinction).
Shirley’s interests are cooking, travelling and spending time with family and friends.
Pamela Henderson
Senior Housing Adviser
Pamela has extensive experience in administration, HR, accounts and account management having previously worked in the Hospitality and Oil & Gas industries for over 10 years. Pamela took a break from working to care for her daughter who has disabilities; this has given Pamela great insight into the needs of disabled people regarding housing. Pamela returned to work as a volunteer for DPHS Aberdeen then took up the position of Housing Advisor when her daughter started school. She was promoted to the post of Senior Housing Advisor in 2017. Pamela has completed her Shelter Training on Housing Law, Information and Advice Standards Level 6. She is due to complete further distance learning courses in Counselling Skills and Team Leading.
Cheryl Robbie
Senior Housing Adviser
Cheryl has 20 years extensive experience in administration. She held various administrative roles within the Scottish Court Service working in the Civil and Criminal Offices as well as working in the Fines Enforcement Team. Prior to taking up her position at DPHS Cheryl worked for NHS Grampian at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary as Ward receptionist and latterly a Clinic Co-Ordinator for General Medicine and Infectious Diseases. Cheryl has completed Shelter Training SCQF Level 6 in Housing Law Advice.
Ogochukwu Emele
Housing Adviser
Ogochukwu joined DPHS in 2021. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Computing Science and enjoys assisting clients with finding a suitable home.
VOLUNTEERS
Ian Gourley
Funding
Ian was born and brought up in Fife and moved to Aberdeen in 1979 at the beginning of the oil boom when banks could not get local staff. He worked in a bank for 35 years before taking early retirement in 2009 following which he has volunteered with several charities across the city. For the past two years Ian has been chair of Aberdeen Independent Multiple Sclerosis [AIMS].
Shona Teale
Social Media
ADVISERS
Mel Booth
Senior Housing Strategy Officer
Aberdeen City Council
Mel has over 15 years’ experience working in Housing across several local authorities in Scotland. She currently manages the Housing Strategy Team within Aberdeen City Council and is particularly interested in affordable and adapted housing.
Dorothy Askew
Housing Strategy Officer
Aberdeen City Council
Dorothy has more than 18 years’ experience working in housing strategy with a focus on specialist housing and independent living. Her role provides the strategic link between housing, health and social care. She has provided support to the DPHS throughout this time and is involved in developing and monitor.