Gavin Smith wins CIH vice president election

After a closely fought election period, Gavin Smith FCIH has been chosen by Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) members as the organisation’s next vice president.

Gavin, service manager at Fife Council, was elected ahead of fellow candidates Katrina Henshaw, Lee Buss-Blair, Nic Bliss and Richard Kennedy.

With a candidate statement centred on building healthy communities and raising the profile of the housing sector - with a focus on professionalism and the membership voice - Gavin has extensive experience across local authority, housing association and governance roles, and has served on the CIH Scotland board for over six years, standing down as Chair in 2025.

He will officially become the vice president following the CIH’s annual general meeting in October 2026.

Commenting on the news, Gavin Smith said: “I'm honoured to be elected vice president by CIH members, and I want to thank everyone who supported me in public and in private, voted for me and those took part in what was a close election.

“Housing matters because it shapes people's lives and the strength of our communities, and I'm proud to have spent my career working to improve services for those who need them most.

“I'm looking forward to working with Evie Copland throughout her presidency and the wider CIH team to champion our profession, support our members, and raise the profile of housing as the vital, skilled work that it is."

Gavin Smart, CIH chief executive, added: “We're delighted to announce Gavin as the vice president elect of the Chartered Institute of Housing. He brings with him a huge amount of passion and experience across the housing sector, and together, he and Evie Copland will make an excellent presidential team.”

Read more on Gavin Smith’s candidate statement and the CIH vice president 2026 election process here.