TIS was thrilled to host their National Excellence Awards ceremony, on the evening of Thursday 7th November, at the iconic Grand Central Hotel, in Glasgow, and as part of the TIS National Housing Conference and Exhibition 2024.
The event saw housing organisations, staff, volunteers, tenants, residents, and community groups come out on top as they scooped the top prizes for their outstanding work, passion, and commitment to make positive change throughout the Scottish social housing sector.
Eight categories honoured excellence in everything from partnership working, tenant participation and scrutiny practice, to digital creativity and innovation. Each year applications get better and better, and this year was no different. The exceptional quality of entries really shined through, and this strength highlights the fantastic developments that organisations are taking to lead the way.
Finalists were selected from a longlist of applicants by an independent judging panel that included representatives from Clackmannanshire Tenants and Residents Federation, Elderpark Housing Association, Fyne Homes, Dundee City Council, the Scottish Government, and West Lothian Council.
A ninth, Special Recognition, category and the only award not voted by the independent judging panel but instead specially selected by TIS Chief Executive, Ilene Campbell, celebrated TIS Chairperson, Alice Bovill, for her significant contribution to housing over a number of years.
Earlier this year, Alice, reached a remarkable life milestone, as she celebrated her 80th birthday. Over 30 years of Alice’s life have been dedicated to effecting positive change across the Scottish social housing sector, at both a local and national level. A true inspiration, she has been a supportive leader and mentor and has encouraged the TIS team to drive forward national housing policy and practice, to provide meaningful opportunities for tenants to have their say and to protect vital tenant rights.
Ilene Campbell, TIS Chief Executive, commented on the success of the evening:
“The TIS National Excellence Awards offer a seal of approval for the most outstanding work across the sector. We were thrilled to come together to celebrate some of the sector’s biggest achievements, and hope that the innovation and ingenuity demonstrated by finalists and winners will inspire others.”
The theme of the evening was “Casino Royale”. Inspired by the James Bond, spy action thriller film, guests stepped onto the red carpet into an action-packed evening of glamour and excitement, filled with 007 style and sophistication.
Hosted by Scottish actor, Gary Lamont, the finalists and winners recognised at the ceremony were:
Outstanding Contribution to Tenant Participation (Housing Staff)
Sponsor: The Scottish Government
Presenter: Michael Boal – Social Housing Charter & Regulation Manager at the Scottish Government
- Winner: Craig Baxter – Tenant Participation Officer at Fyne Homes
- Finalist: Andrew Mackie, Housing Manager – Tenancy Services at Aberdeenshire Council
- Finalist: Deborah Piner – Tenant Participation Service Development Worker at East Lothian Council
- Finalist: Kevin Hamilton – Customer Liaison Officer at East Ayrshire Council
Outstanding Contribution to Tenant Participation Frances Nelson MBE (Tenant)
Sponsor: Dundee City Council
Presenter: Michelle Harrow – Service Manager for the Housing Service at Dundee City Council
- Winner: Tommy Bennet – South Lanarkshire Council
- Finalist: Deborah Docherty – Tenant activist at Bield Housing and Care
- Finalist: John Young – Tenant of Paragon Housing Association
- Finalist: Peter Gibson – Scrutiny Panel member at Kingdom Housing Association
Excellence in Scrutiny Danny Mullen (Working in Partnership)
Sponsor: West Lothian Council Tenants Panel
Presenter: Caitlin Howie – Quality Development Officer at West Lothian Council
- Winner: Cunninghame Housing Association in partnership with Cunninghame Scrutiny Group
- Finalist: Aberdeenshire Council in partnership with Sheltered Housing Tenants’ Forum
- Finalist: Riverside Scotland in partnership with Riverside Scotland Service Improvement Group
- Finalist: South Lanarkshire Council in partnership with Repairs Sub-group
Excellence in Digital (Housing Organisation)
Sponsor: CIH Scotland
Presenter: Laura Strang – Board Member at TIS
- Winner: Aberdeenshire Council
- Finalist: Bield Housing and Care
- Finalist: North East Tenants Residents and Landlords Together (NETRALT)
Tenant Group of the Year
Sponsor: Edinburgh Tenants Federation
Presenter: Betty Stone – Convenor at Edinburgh Tenants Federation
- Winner: Gilfoot TARAG
- Finalist: Bield Equality Network
- Finalist: Tenants Together Scotland
- Finalist: West Dunbartonshire Tenants and Residents Organisation
Housing Organisation of the Year
Sponsor: Citrus Energy
Presenter: Paul Clark – Operations Manager at Citrus Energy
- Winner: Bield Housing and Care
- Finalist: Kingdom Housing Association
- Finalist: Riverside Scotland
- Finalist: West Granton Housing Co-op
Lifetime Achievement (Housing Staff)
Sponsor: East Ayrshire Federation of Tenants and Residents
Presenter: Davey Leggat – Chairperson at East Ayrshire Federation of Tenants and Residents
- Winner: Jim Fraser – Estate Management Inspector at Elderpark Housing Association
- Finalist: Sheena Macfie – Housing Services Administrator at Fyne Homes
Lifetime Achievement (Tenant)
Sponsor: Cunninghame Housing Association
Presenter: Ian Macpherson – Community Participation & Engagement Officer at Cunninghame Housing Association
- Winner: Betty Simpson – Housing volunteer at Aberdeen City Council
- Betty Stone – Executive Committee Convenor at Edinburgh Tenants Federation
- Harry Woodward – Tenant member at Edinburgh Tenants Federation
- Janice Murray – Tenant member of Service Improvement Group at Riverside Scotland
Congratulations to all winners and finalists on your fantastic achievements. Photographs from the event will be available to view and download soon at: https://tis.org.uk/galleries/
