Marking 30 years of Clúid as we say farewell to CEO Brian O’Gorman

2025 marks a significant moment for Clúid as the organisation celebrates its 30th anniversary and bids a fond farewell to its longstanding Chief Executive, Brian O’Gorman.

For three decades, O’Gorman has been an unwavering force at Clúid, guiding its growth from a fledgling organisation to one of Ireland’s leading approved housing bodies (AHBs), now providing homes for close to 33,000 residents. O’Gorman’s upcoming retirement marks the end of an era, a testament to his dedication and the indelible mark he has left on the Irish social housing landscape.

O’Gorman’s journey into the not-for-profit housing sector began before Clúid’s inception. His early career with Threshold saw him championing the rights of those in the private rented sector, navigating the complexities of mortgage arrears and the evolving landscape following the de-control of private tenancies. This was followed by a pivotal period at Focus Ireland, where he honed his understanding of housing policy, further solidifying his commitment to addressing homelessness and housing need. His pursuit of knowledge led him to Ulster University, where he deepened his knowledge of housing and a desire to become involved in developing homes for those seeking social and affordable housing.

In 1994, O’Gorman became the first employee of St Pancras Housing Association Ireland – later to become Clúid. This pivotal role saw him laying the foundations for an organisation that would grow to become a cornerstone of social and affordable housing provision in Ireland. Since assuming the role of CEO in 2000, O’Gorman has been instrumental in shaping not only Clúid’s trajectory but also contributing to the wider AHB sector, tirelessly advocating for policies that benefit the communities they serve and future generations.

Reflecting on his remarkable tenure, O’Gorman shares: “After 30 years with Clúid, I will be retiring this year. It has been a genuine privilege to have worked alongside so many extraordinary people and met so many remarkable residents and partners. This includes the many dedicated and talented individuals working in local and central government and the elected representatives who dedicate themselves to public service. It is pleasing to witness the growth in scale and influence of housing associations across social, affordable and age-friendly housing.”

Clúid’s 30-year journey is a story of ambition, resilience, and a deep-seated commitment to providing high-quality secure homes, leading to the creation of sustainable and thriving communities. Clúid holds to its core value of housing as a ‘platform for social progress’. Furthermore, the importance of a housing association operating as a sustainable social enterprise, so as to be able to manage and maintain homes for the foreseeable future. The organisation’s first housing scheme in Kilcronan, Clondalkin, delivered in 1995, marked the beginning of a remarkable expansion. Over the years, Clúid has demonstrated innovation and strategic foresight in its approach to housing delivery. The acquisition of apartments at Clarion Quay in 2002 through ‘Planning Gain’ not only provided much-needed homes but also highlighted the potential for leveraging planning mechanisms for social benefit, a success that contributed to the creation of Part V of the Planning and Development Act.

A significant turning point came in 2003 with the transfer and subsequent refurbishment of St Joseph’s Mansions, later renamed Killarney Court. This large-scale regeneration project, undertaken in partnership with Dublin City Council, not only transformed the lives of residents in an area grappling with deprivation but also underscored the trust placed in Clúid’s ability to deliver impactful change. This period also saw Clúid establish its first dedicated age-friendly scheme in Holy Cross, Killarney, laying the groundwork for its specialist age-friendly provider, Clann.

Clúid’s commitment to innovation continued with the securing of the first debt finance scheme between an AHB and the Housing Finance Agency (HFA) in 2012, paving the way for significant investment in social and affordable homes. The organisation was also at the forefront of responding to the challenges of the financial crisis, delivering its first ‘Mortgage to Rent’ home in 2014, providing a crucial lifeline for families facing mortgage distress while adding to the social housing stock.

More recently, Clúid has championed the development of cost rental housing, delivering the state’s first cost rental homes at Taylor Hill, Balbriggan, in 2021 and a landmark mixed-tenure scheme at Lancaster Gate in Cork city in 2022. These initiatives reflect Clúid’s dedication to providing secure, long-term, affordable housing options for a wider range of households.

Brian O’Gorman, Chief Executive, Clúid marking the organisations hitting the milestone of 10,000 homes across Ireland.

Clúid is making significant investment to retrofit and upgrade older housing stock. Works at Killarney Court in partnership with SEAI in 2023, which coincided with the 20th anniversary of Killarney Court’s regeneration, demonstrate the organisation’s commitment to sustainability and the wellbeing of residents.

O’Gorman’s leadership has been characterised by a hands-on approach and an unwavering belief in the power of collaboration. His early hands-on experience involved direct engagement with residents, collecting rents and fostering a deep understanding of their needs. There are few chief executives who can plausibly say that they have done every job in their organisation: Brian O’Gorman is one, a testament to his deep-rooted understanding of Clúid’s operations at every level.

Looking to the future, Clúid is poised to build on this strong foundation with a robust pipeline of almost 5,000 new homes, with over 1,000 currently under construction and an additional 650 due to commence this year. This ambitious programme underscores Clúid’s continued commitment to innovation, addressing ongoing challenges and delivering thriving communities.

As O’Gorman steps into his well-deserved retirement, he leaves behind a legacy of growth, innovation, and unwavering dedication. His vision and leadership have been instrumental in shaping Clúid into the respected and influential organisation it is today. His emphasis on collaboration across national and local government, finance and development partners, and community groups has been a hallmark of his tenure, fostering a collective approach to tackling Ireland’s housing needs.

Brian O’Gorman laying a commemoration plaque at a tree planting in Radharc Bhinn Ghaire, Letterfrack to mark Clúid’s 30th anniversary.

O’Gorman concludes: “I will miss being part of the next chapter but will be ‘cheering from afar’ as Clúid continues to flourish. I will be leaving with a renewed belief in the benefits of homes and services provided by independent non-profit housing associations. To me, housing association activity, in developing a sizeable number of homes made available to serve successive generations of Irish households, is the route to a stable and thriving housing sector.”

On behalf of the entire Clúid team, past and present, we extend our gratitude to Brian O’Gorman for his exceptional determination, inspiring leadership, and unwavering passion over the past 30 years.

We wish him the very best as he embarks on this new chapter, confident that the strong foundations he has laid will ensure Clúid continues to flourish and make a significant difference in the lives of people across Ireland for many years to come.

W: www.cluid.ie