The boss of trade body Homes for Scotland (HFS), Nicola Barclay, won CEO of the Year at the inaugural Scottish Women’s Awards in Glasgow on Wednesday night.

Approaching her second year in post as Chief Executive, Nicola is focused on addressing Scotland’s housing crisis by creating the conditions that are necessary for increasing the delivery of new homes.  With direct responsibility for managing the HFS secretariat, delivering business strategy and meeting the wide-ranging needs of some 200 member companies, she said:

“I am absolutely delighted to have been recognised by the Scottish Women’s Awards.  As a female leader in what is still very much a male-dominated industry, it is essential other women, particularly those of the younger generation, know that they can achieve in any field they choose. 

“However, it remains a juggling act for many of us and that is why it is so important that we support each other and create the platform for even more brilliant women to shine.”

Previously Principal Planning Advisor and Director of Planning at HFS before becoming Chief Executive, Nicola’s 20 years’ experience also includes periods working with Scottish Futures Trust as well as a number of HFS member companies.

A Chartered Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute, Nicola is a graduate of Heriot-Watt University and an active member of Women in Property. She also currently sits on the Scottish Government’s Financial Innovation Advisory and Joint Housing Policy & Delivery Groups, the CITB Scotland Committee, NHBC Scottish committee and the Consumer Code for Home Builders' Board.

In addition, Nicola has formed a charity partnership between HFS and Habitat for Humanity Great Britain, travelling to India in January 2017 to work on a build for a family within a rural tribal community – an experience she says will stay with her forever.