Paul Bradley, head of government relations at the University of Glasgow since 2023, has been appointed director of external affairs at the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA).
He will start his new role on the organisation’s executive team in April and will replace Carolyn Lochhead, who started a new role as chief executive of Scottish Alcohol Concern this month.
Bradley will lead the organisation’s policy, public affairs, comms and events, and report to chief executive Richard Meade. He will be responsible for a £200,000 external affairs budget and lead a 16-strong team and will be tasked with driving “the strategic direction and high-quality delivery of all external engagement and reputational activity” and boosting the organisation's national profile, according to his job spec.
The new appointment was announced by the SFHA last week. “Paul’s arrival ahead of pivotal Scottish elections positions the organisation to build on its advocacy work with the next Scottish Parliament and government,” it stated.
Bradley has more than a decade’s experience in external affairs. Prior to his role at the University of Glasgow he spent more than six years at the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations where he was policy and public affairs manager. Other previous positions include representation and democracy manager at Edinburgh University Students’ Association, and campaigns and public affairs officer at Shelter Scotland.
Commenting on his new role, he said: “Ensuring that everyone has a safe, warm and affordable home is one of the defining challenges facing Scotland. SFHA has worked towards that for many years, and I’m proud to be joining the organisation at this crucial moment to play a part in those efforts.”
Meade remarked: “In the midst of a housing emergency and with seismic elections coming up, Scotland’s housing associations have never needed strong advocacy more. We’re hugely pleased to have Paul join us and I know he’ll be a strong advocate for our members.”