HE started out in 1987 as an admin assistant working from a small hut in Cowdenbeath with a basic Amstrad computer and 16 properties on the books.

Now Bill Banks is the group chief executive of Kingdom Housing Association, one of Fife’s biggest employers which owns and manages some 6,500 homes and employs more than 500 staff.

Celebrating 35 years of service, he said the company was “unrecognisable” from those early days in Cowdenbeath.

Bill said: “When I started with Kingdom, we had one completed project and operated from a small hut.

“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.”

He continued: “Things have changed enormously since then.

“Kingdom had 16 properties when I started with the association and now owns and manages around 6,500 homes, has two subsidiaries and over 500 staff.

“I can’t think of an affordable housing tenure that we haven’t developed and we have been recognised for numerous awards over the years.

“Kingdom is unrecognisable from the early days, however the constant change is probably the main reason I’m still here after so many years.”

After starting as an admin assistant, Bill had various jobs and spent most of his time in charge of development and property services before becoming depute chief executive in 2008 and stepping up to his current role in 2013.

He said: “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.”

Laurie Naumann, one of Kingdom’s founding members and current joint vice chair, congratulated Bill on his long service: “I well remember you initially working as an enthusiastic administrative assistant supporting the development programme in the Cowdenbeath portacabin office.

“Little did we know then that you would rise to the very head of a key Scottish social housing provider that has become one of Fife’s biggest employers.

“I do not think that the group would be where it is now without your professionalism, enthusiasm, determination and stamina.”