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Social housing boss at Devonshires to step down after more than 30 years
Andrew Cowan, head of social housing at Devonshires, has announced that he will be stepping down from his role after 33 years at the law firm.
Following Mr Cowan’s departure, leadership of the firm’s corporate and regulatory social housing work will now fall to current partners Matthew Waters and Gemma Bell.
Mr Cowan joined Devonshires in 1990, at a time when it employed around 30 people, and he has seen the firm grow to have more than 300 employees.
He became an equity partner in 1993, and is credited with the significant growth of the firm despite the huge challenges in the sector over the past three decades.
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Mr Cowan was also described as being instrumental in the advent of for-profit housing associations, as well as many mergers across England and Wales.
He steps down on 1 April, when he will become a consultant at the firm.
On his departure, Mr Cowan said: “The social housing landscape has changed immeasurably from when I first started out, with the demands placed on providers having increased exponentially.
“When I look back, I’ve been blessed to work in such a thriving and engaged sector, with its constant challenges. Despite these, I am positive about the role the sector can play in society.
“I’ve enjoyed my work immensely and will remain involved through my consultancy work with Devonshires and various non-executive posts.”
Mr Cowan will remain a trustee at HACT and as a fellow at the Chartered Institute of Housing.
He added: “Finally, I want to say how reassured I am to be leaving the team in the capable hands of two stand- out lawyers in Gemma Bell and Matthew Waters.
“They are both phenomenal lawyers and leaders who understand the needs of the sector and are committed to it. I know they will continue to do a brilliant job for the sector as it continues to evolve.”
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