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.
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
Steve Delaney joined the Board of the Disabled Persons Housing Service as a Council appointee in 2022. He was born in Aberdeen and has lived here all his life. He also has close family living in Australia. Steve and his wife Eileen were married in 1993 and they have a teenage son. Their extended family also includes a daughter, two step-children, eight grandchildren and one great granddaughter.
Steve ran his own computer software business for over a decade before he entered politics. He was also a well respected computer journalist during the 1990s, covering the news desk and reviewing the latest software and hardware releases for Future Publishing, Europress, Emap and IDG on their Atari news stand titles (circulation about 40K) as well as helping out on a few smaller but lesser known titles.
Steve has a background in community engagement dating back to 1999. During that time he set up a residents’ association which he then chaired for three years, produced a regular 20 page newsletter, funded entirely through advertising from local businesses. He served as planning officer with two community councils, vice chair of one community council and chair of another.
Steve also has a long record of voluntary public service out with his role on Aberdeen City Council, having served as Chair of Grampian Housing Association for 5 years, Chair of the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations for 3 years and finished up with over 13 years of service to Victim Support Scotland serving as Chair of the Aberdeen Branch and later, as national Vice Chair.
Steve was also the last Chair of Grampian Community Care Charitable Trust (a small housing association which built homes for people with disabilities), prior to its merger with Castlehill Housing Association in 2011, taking the position to help steer the organisation to a sustainable future.
Steve Delaney was first elected to Aberdeen City Council at a by-election in 2002. Having lost his seat in 2007, he spent five years as a carer for his young son. He returned to Aberdeen City Council in 2012 and was re-elected in 2017 and 2022. During his time on the Council Steve has served in both Administration and Opposition roles and he is the current Depute Provost as well as being the Council’s Disability Champion..
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.
STAFF
Cheryl Robbie
Manager
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].
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.