Expertise

A well-known and respected figure in the housing world, Marian is a highly skilled researcher and analyst within housing and related policy areas.

Marian’s career in housing started in 1985 when she volunteered with Shelter’s housing aid centre in Bristol, working on private rented sector research. Since then she has built up a broad and extensive portfolio of work and experience, and has written on a range of policy and practice topics. Marian has the ability to manage projects and processes, but also enjoys thinking strategically around the full implications of decisions and plans. In her most recent post as Deputy Director with CIH Scotland she had significant responsibility and formed strong stakeholder relationships across housing and other sectors, including health and social care.

Marian has a long-standing interest in workforce development and held the post of Head of Learning and Development at CIH Scotland for several years. From 2003-2006, she worked as a professional adviser to the then Care Commission. While there she was involved in a major review of the regulation of care services and was part of the team that created the first quality assessment framework. Marian has been actively involved in the health and social care agenda for a number of years, in particular around housing and dementia. Other work projects have focused on standards and performance, tenant scrutiny and homelessness.

Prior to joining CIH Scotland, Marian was a freelance researcher and senior associate on a number of major national studies, including research into supporting people and the development of best practice materials to support local authorities in working with the private rented sector.

Recent Employment Experience

 

Deputy Director (Scotland). January 2016 – August 2017, Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) Scotland, Edinburgh.

Head of Operations. May 2014 – December 2015, CIH Scotland, Edinburgh.

Head of Learning and Development. April 2009 – April 2014, CIH Scotland, Edinburgh.

Self-employed Social Researcher and Consultant. September 2007 – April 2009.

Accreditation Service Manager. May 2006 – September 2007, Michael Bell Associates, Research and Consultancy, Edinburgh.

Professional Adviser (Policy and Research). September 2003 – May 2006, Scottish Commission for the Regulation of Care, Dundee.

Key qualifications and education

Bachelor of Arts in History (First Class Honours). Open University. February 1992 – June 2014.

Certificate in Managing Voluntary and Non-profit Enterprises. Open University Business School (MBA programme). November 1996 – May 1997.

Postgraduate Diploma in Housing Studies (with Merit). Bristol Polytechnic, Department of Surveying, Bristol. October 1985 – July 1988. Awarded Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors prize for best student.

Other information

Corporate Member, Chartered Institute of Housing.

Board Member, Osprey Housing, May 2018 – present.