Award has been valuable addition to our association

Winning this prestigious award in March 2015 was the highlight of what can only be described as an exceptional year for Cunninghame Housing Association and myself in particular. The Association was celebrating its 30^th Anniversary year, at the same time I was receiving my long service award from our voluntary Board of Management commemorating 25 years as Director/Chief Executive. Our commitment to our staff had also been recognised by the Investors in People organisation in December 2014 when we became only the second organisation in Scotland to be awarded all three IiP awards at the same time. Namely, Investors in People Gold, Investors in Young People – Good Practice Award and the Investors in People Good Practice – Health & Wellbeing Award. Specifically, winning the Institute of Director’s Scotland Third Sector Director of the Year Award and being the first Chief Executive of a Scottish Housing Association to do so was a career defining moment and I am now further honoured by being selected as a finalist in the UK Awards Third Sector category, the winner of which will be announced in October 2015 in London. I am looking forward to attending the Awards Ceremony, but would say at this time that I am thrilled at being short-listed in the UK finals and wish my fellow finalists the very best of luck. Since winning the Director of the Year Award I have received letters of congratulations from fellow professionals, not only in Scotland, but from all over the world, demonstrating the global influence of the Institute of Directors and the high regard the winners of these awards, in particular, are held in. In terms of networking and developing new business partnerships, the award has in this respect been a valuable addition to the Association’s status, and indeed my status, within the Housing Association and Social Enterprise sectors. The award is truly a once in a lifetime happening and one which has been a great experience.