Head Office Edinburgh

CrossReach’s Head Office is Charis House, located about 3 miles east of Edinburgh city centre, at 47 Milton Road East. EH15 2SR. This building was built by the Jenner family who owned a prestigious department store in Edinburgh’s Princes Street until recently when it was sold to a large retail group. After the Church of Scotland bought the building in 1960 for £27,500 it was converted into a home for older people, Queens Bay Lodge. In 1992, a new home was built on adjacent ground and the former home was renamed Charis House, with staff being transferred from 121 George Street to work in the new head office.

Charis House is the office base of the CEO Peter Bailey and his Director of HR and Organisational Development and also the Finance Director. These two post holders between them have overall responsibility for HR, People Development, Business Development, Finance, I.T., Estates and Procurement and Income Generation.

Supported by the Social Care Council of 31 nominated members, this busy office hosts council and Governance meetings as well as being used as a training venue.
The welcome which you will receive when you visit Charis House starts at the front door with our two reception staff who will greet you and direct you in a warm and welcoming manner.

Situated in a beautiful location, it has many striking features which include a particular one of historic interest. The railings at the entrance to the Gate Lodge are an exact copy of the Scalliger railings at Verona in Italy and the task of making this replica was given to a local Portobello blacksmith, James Ross. One of the conditions of sale was that the Church of Scotland (CrossReach) had to ensure that these railings are maintained in good order.