Building a Future Worth Coming Home To: In Conversation with Jane Wood

In partnership with Homes for Scotland

As Scotland faces a national housing emergency, Homes for Scotland CEO and mother-of-four Jane Wood shares why home is about so much more than bricks and mortar — and why the next generation’s future depends on getting this right.

For Jane Wood, Chief Executive of Homes for Scotland, housing isn’t just a policy issue — it’s a moral one. With more than one in four Scottish households now in some form of housing need, she’s leading a nationwide call to action with the newly launched Homes Build Futures campaign.

A former BT and Business in the Community leader, Jane has spent her career bridging the worlds of business, policy and purpose. Now, she’s turning her focus to one of Scotland’s most urgent challenges — the housing crisis — while balancing boardrooms with bedtime stories as a mum of four. Here, she talks to Hood about the power of quiet leadership, why balance is overrated, and how building homes is about securing futures.

You’ve held senior roles across business, policy and public affairs – what drew you to housing?
With more than one in four households in Scotland in some form of housing need, I’m passionate about the need for tangible change in our systems. This isn’t just about improving health and social outcomes — it’s about jobs, our economy, and the transition to net zero. It affects everyone, and if we don’t act, it’s our young people who will pay the price.

Who or what has inspired you most along the way?
Ordinary people solving extraordinary problems. Whether it’s a young person from a chaotic background teaching themselves coding, or a colleague reworking a process no one noticed was broken — that’s what inspires me. Leadership isn’t about having all the answers; it’s about creating space for others to bring theirs forward.

You’re a mum of four as well as a CEO – how do you make it work?
Very carefully! Being a mum of four teaches you diplomacy, crisis management, and logistics — all great training for a CEO. Some days the house wins, some days the job does, and I’ve learned to be okay with that. What matters is showing up with purpose, whether that’s in the boardroom or at the dinner table.

And how do you stay grounded?
Small anchors — a cup of tea, a quick check-in with a friend or my husband. I look for rhythm over perfection: knowing when to lean into work and when to protect space for family. Grace and humour help too!

Have you experienced discrimination in your career?
Yes, like many women in leadership, I’ve had to work harder to be heard. I’ve been the only woman in the room many times. I’ve always believed in letting my work speak for itself — and in creating space for others. Attitudes are changing, but progress takes persistence, not just policy.

Homes for Scotland has just launched the Homes Build Futures campaign. Why now?
The figures speak for themselves — Scotland’s people deserve better. The gap between housing haves and have-nots is growing. We want to mobilise civic society and encourage people to raise their voices ahead of next year’s Scottish Parliament election. It’s time to challenge the status quo and make housing a political priority.

What’s your message to families who think this doesn’t affect them?
Even if you don’t think the crisis touches you, it impacts your friends, colleagues or family. We all have a part to play. If we don’t act now, it’s our children who’ll pay the price.

You’ve spoken about having to dig deep. What have those moments taught you?
Leading through redundancies and facing bullying in a senior role were defining moments. They taught me to lead with compassion and clarity — and to stay true to my values. Resilience isn’t about being unshakable; it’s about recalibrating and moving forward with purpose.

And how do you define success?
For me, success is impact and integrity. It’s about delivering real change — more quality homes, stronger policy, empowered teams. Personally, it’s about being present, raising kind children, and still recognising yourself at the end of a long week.

What kind of Scotland do you want your children to call home?
Fair, peaceful, inclusive, resilient, safe — and reflective of the beautiful, majestic country it is.

At the Homes Build Futures launch in Edinburgh, Jane was joined by Cabinet Secretary for Housing Màiri McAllan MSP and young ambassadors to make their plea for a better future. Nine-year-old Eimear O’Leary, one of the campaign’s young ambassadors, spoke from the heart:

Why Homes Build Futures matters

The Homes Build Futures campaign, led by Homes for Scotland, is shining a spotlight on the country’s growing housing emergency. With 693,000 households in some form of housing need and over 110,000 homes short since 2008, it’s calling for bold action from policymakers — and urging the public to join the conversation.

As Jane puts it, “This is about the kind of Scotland we want to build — not just for us, but for every child’s future.”