Social housing provider in line for national award.
Birmingham-based Ashley Community Housing (ACH) has been shortlisted for the Social Enterprise of the Year award in the 2014 National Business Awards.
As a specialist housing association, ACH works to provide tailored support and training services, and support its tenants into a positive future in the UK.
Going up against nine other organisations including Give as you Live and City Health Care Partnership, the organisation will compete for the prestigious award, with the winner being revealed at the National Business Awards gala dinner held on 11 November at Park Lane’s Grosvenor House Hotel in London.
Katy Jones, director, financial advisory and capital at ClearlySo will be acting as judge for the category. She said: “ACH’s resident-centred offering, delivered by committed staff, has contributed to a sustainable funding position and impressive growth in its social impact.”
Fuad Mahamed, chief executive at Ashley Community Housing, said: “We’re thrilled to have been shortlisted for such a prestigious award. Ashley Community Housing strives to provide a safe, supportive environment for its tenants and it’s great that the services provided by our dedicated staff have been recognised. ACH would like to thank all our statutory, voluntary and private sector partners who, through collaboration, have made our success possible. We will always be fiercely committed to providing the best possible services to all our tenants, learners and other stakeholders: this is the ACH way.”
This year’s shortlisted businesses cover activities as diverse as retail, technology, men’s grooming products, telecoms, construction, advertising, entertainment, and publishing. Of the businesses shortlisted, 24% turnover under £5 million, 26% turnover between £5 million and £25 million, 15% over a billion and 10% not for profit organisations. The smallest business recognised has a turnover of just £23,000 with the largest reaching £20 billion. Finalists collectively employ over 850,000 people, the smallest has just one member of staff while the largest employs around 165,000 people globally.
Alex Evans, Programme Director of the National Business Awards said: “The diversity and quality of this year’s finalists have firmly established the National Business Awards as the talent scout for UK plc, with market leading household names recognised alongside the best emerging business brands.
“With a variety of industries represented, these recovery-leading businesses have demonstrated the return on investment in people, innovation, customer service and leadership.”
Finalists were chosen from the hundreds of businesses that entered or were nominated across 17 award categories. They will now prepare for live presentations to expert juries who will decide the overall winners that will be revealed at the awards ceremony on 11 November. Visit www.nationalbusinessawards.co.uk for a full list of all finalists and to attend the event.
The National Business Awards supports The Prince’s Trust, a charity that offers practical and financial support to young people who need it.