A BRADFORD housing association boss is to retire after serving almost three decades.

Sheila Bamford, who has been Executive Director of Horton Housing Association since its inception in 1985, has led the association from employing a handful of staff to its present day operation employing more than 300.

During that time she developed and established Horton’s charitable services across West and North Yorkshire and last year was awarded the British Empire Medal for her services to socially excluded people.

Paul Gartland, the newly appointed Executive Director, who has worked alongside her for many years said: “I would like to personally thank Sheila for being an outstanding role model, mentor and inspiration as well as being a fantastic colleague and very dear friend”.