In our latest blog series, we chat to Gavin Wright, Head of Property Management at Bield, who brings a wealth of experience and passion for improvement that help set Bield apart.
Gavin has experience from across the public sector and has taken full advantage of the opportunity at Bield to spearhead innovation to improve the offering for tenants.
Q. Can you give us a brief introduction to yourself, your role, and the team you work with?
A: I'm Gavin Wright, although most people call me Gav. I joined Bield in October 2024 as Head of Property Management, and I oversee two key teams: the Repairs Team and the Compliance Team.
The Repairs Team is responsible for day-to-day maintenance and void properties. The Compliance Team manages areas such as gas safety, legionella risks and other key responsibilities. I also lead some of Bield's innovation projects, including our work with Franklin Covey and the sensor development programme. It's a wide-ranging role but one that is both exciting and rewarding.
Q: What do you think sets Bield apart?
A: Before joining Bield, I worked for many years in local authorities, so joining a housing association was a significant change.
What stands out to me about Bield is its openness to innovation. There is a clear appetite to explore new technologies and rethinking how services are delivered, all with the aim of improving the lives of tenants. That kind of forward-thinking approach is refreshing.
There is also a strong culture of care throughout the organisation. Whether it's housing staff or senior leaders, everyone is genuinely committed to doing what is right for tenants. It makes a real difference.
Q: What's been happening in your team recently? Any good news to share?
A: Since I joined, we've re-established the Property Management Team and been working to develop a really collaborative and ambitious environment. I think the team has come together well, and I'm already proud of the work we've been doing.
We've also been working to make property management more visible to tenants. Our aim is to better understand what matters to them and shape our services around their needs.
Q: The housing sector faces a lot of challenges. What are some that you've encountered or expect to deal with in the coming months?
A: Financial pressure is a key challenge in this sector, but we're taking proactive steps to manage it.
We're investing in data-driven approaches, including using AI to help us model repairs more efficiently. We are also reviewing how we work with contractors, moving towards longer-term partnerships that provide better service and value.
Externally, rising material costs and uncertainty around government funding, such as delays in adaptation grants, are issues we need to factor in. Despite this, we remain focused on delivering core services while embracing innovation.
Q: Are there any future plans or projects you're excited about?
A: There are two major projects I'm particularly excited about.
The first is our work to improve how we manage void properties. At the moment, the average turnaround is around 90 days. With support from Franklin Covey, we are completely rethinking the process. Our target is to reduce this to 45 days and bring down refusal rates from 30% to 15%. If successful, this could save Bield more than £1 million in lost income each year.
The second project is our Langvout sensor initiative. This began as a small pilot using 5G sensors in one development and has grown significantly. We've just completed Phase One and plan to roll it out to six more developments. The goal is to create a fully integrated digital estate that connects building management, security systems and tech-enabled care.
The response has been overwhelmingly positive. We've been invited to speak at conferences, collaborate with other organisations and share our approach. It's clear we are doing something that is attracting attention and has real potential to shape the future of housing in Scotland.