Fife business: Nineteen local eateries shortlisted in The Food Awards Scotland

Forth Bay Guest House: Leven business goes up for sale

Bill Banks joined the then fledgling Kingdom Housing Association in August 1987.

Today he heads up a business which has become the largest housing association in the Kingdom.

A registered social landlord, Kingdom has the biggest housing stock across the region.

Bill has held a number of roles within the organisation, but spent most of his time in charge of development and property services before becoming depute chief executive in 2008 and CEO five years later.

He said: “When I started with Kingdom, we had one completed project and operated from a porta cabin.

“I remember when we bought our first Amstrad computer!

“Rent payments were recorded on ‘pink rent cards’. It was a time when everyone did a bit of everything and anything.”

Today, Kingdom manages around 6500 homes, employs two staff and has two subsidiaries - and it’s been recognised with a clutch of awards.

“Kingdom is unrecognisable from the early days,” he said.

“However, the constant change is probably the main reason I’m still here after so many years. I’ve really enjoyed my time with Kingdom and in addition to the affordable housing projects we have provided, to meet a range of housing needs, I’m particularly proud of the sustainability initiatives we have developed, the homelessness programmes provided and the trainee programme we have implemented.

“I truly believe that many of the trainees and other dedicated staff who work with us have demonstrated the commitment and potential to be future leaders at Kingdom or elsewhere in the sector.”

Tributes to Bill came from several people, including Laurie Naumann, one of Kingdom’s founding members and current joint vice chair who recalled “an enthusiastic administrative assistant” working out of temporary facilities in Cowdenbeath.”And Laurie added: “Little did we know then that Bill would rise to the very head of a key Scottish social housing provider that has become one of Fife's biggest employers. The Group would be where it is now without his professionalism, enthusiasm, determination and stamina.”