The awards shine a spotlight on the remarkable teams and dedicated professionals who deliver vital services and support to communities across the country. This year’s event brought together housing leaders from across Scotland to celebrate innovation, leadership, and tenant-focused excellence.

Riverside Scotland’s Housing First for Families team was rewarded for its commitment to tackling homelessness through compassionate, housing-led solutions. Since 2021, the service has supported 46 families into safe, permanent homes with a 100% tenancy sustainment rate—well above the national average.

Built on strong partnerships and a person-centred approach, the model reduces reliance on temporary accommodation, improves wellbeing, and delivers significant cost savings. Rated “Very Good” by the Care Inspectorate, Housing First for Families is now a core part of Riverside Scotland’s operations and continues to expand, shaping the future of housing-led support in Scotland.

Former managing director Diana MacLean received the Excellence in Leadership Award for her outstanding contribution to Riverside Scotland.

Diana spearheaded a cultural transformation built on trust and collaboration, placing tenants at the heart of service delivery. Her “Big Conversation” initiative engaged over 1,400 tenants, directly shaping service improvements and she led the delivery of 190 new homes and award-winning energy efficiency upgrades

Under her visionary leadership, Riverside Scotland achieved remarkable outcomes for tenants and communities, including Scotland’s largest affordable modular housing scheme, £10 million invested in upgrades, vital cost-of-living support and the launch of innovative services such as Housing First for Families.

In addition to the above wins, Riverside Scotland was shortlisted in a further two categories, including Housing Organisation of the Year and Excellence in Tenant Scrutiny, reflecting the organisation’s sector-leading approach to customer engagement and service improvement.

The awards ceremony was attended by Riverside Scotland colleagues, Board members, and representatives from the Service Improvement Group.

Gary Naylor, managing director of Riverside Scotland, shared his pride in the team’s achievements: “Being shortlisted in four categories and taking home two awards is a fantastic achievement and a testament to the passion and commitment of our team.

“Our Housing First for Families service, exemplifies the values we stand for—compassion, professionalism, and unwavering dedication to supporting families in crisis. I’m proud to see them recognised among such inspiring peers. These awards reflect the difference we’re making in people’s lives every day, and I’m grateful to our tenants, staff, and partners who make it all possible.”

“I also want to congratulate Diana on this well-deserved recognition. Her leadership has created lasting changes, and the impact she’s made on Riverside Scotland and the communities we serve will be felt for years to come. Diana has handed over not just a strong organisation, but an outstanding group of colleagues dedicated to putting people first.”

Jim Strang, chair of Riverside Scotland, said: “The CIH Scotland Excellence Awards celebrate the very best in housing across the country, and Riverside Scotland’s recognition across multiple categories highlights its leadership in delivering tenant-focused, impactful services. To take home two awards from 113 shortlisted entries is a tremendous achievement and a testament to the transformative work happening every day within the organisation.

“These awards reflect the dedication of our colleagues, the strength of our partnerships, and our unwavering commitment to improving lives and strengthening communities. I couldn’t be prouder of what the team has accomplished and the difference they are making for tenants and families across Scotland.”

Former managing director, Diana MacLean, added: “I am truly honoured to receive the Excellence in Leadership Award, but this recognition also belongs to the incredible team at Riverside Scotland. I also couldn’t have achieved so much without the support of Jim and the Board.

“Together, we created a culture built on trust, collaboration, and a shared commitment to tenant-centred services. I’m proud of the bold changes we delivered in a challenging operating environment. It has been a privilege to lead such an outstanding team, and I know Riverside Scotland will continue to go from strength to strength.”

Hanover clinches double gold

Hanover Scotland also had a momentous night as it claimed top honours in the Net Zero in Housing and Excellence in Learning & Development categories – a reflection of its pioneering retrofit project and ambitious employee empowerment programme.

The provider of housing and services for older people took home the Net Zero in Housing award for its Kelvin Court Energy Efficiency Retrofit – a project which has drastically reduced carbon emissions across a key housing development.

By applying advanced retrofit measures to improve energy efficiency, the initiative has helped cut fuel bills and improve living standards for tenants, while underlining Hanover’s commitment to a more sustainable housing model.

Hanover’s Empowered People – Exceptional Results programme was crowned winner of the Excellence in Learning & Development category, having demonstrated how focused investment in staff growth can directly enhance service delivery and workplace morale.

The final accolade of the evening came in the form of a finalist spot in the Excellence in Housing Innovation category for Hanover Connect – a user-friendly digital platform created to streamline customer service, put tenants at the heart of decision-making, and strengthen engagement through smarter technology.

Angela Currie, chief executive at Hanover, said: “This is an incredible result and testament to the determination of our teams, partners and colleagues who share our commitment to excellence, sustainability, and progress.

“To walk away with two major awards – and recognition for a third – is no small feat. It reflects our dedication not just to bricks and mortar, but to the people and communities we serve across Scotland.

“From tackling carbon reduction through innovative retrofit solutions, to building an empowered workforce and embracing digital technology, we’re proud to be setting a benchmark in the housing sector.

“These awards are a powerful endorsement of the direction we are taking. They speak to our values – of being progressive, people-focused, and proactive – and they drive us to keep raising the bar for tenants and our wider communities.”

The winning retrofit project at Kelvin Court was praised for its ability to integrate high-impact energy efficiency upgrades with minimal disruption to residents – setting a precedent for future retrofit activity within the sector.

Meanwhile, the Empowered People programme has embedded a culture of continuous learning and personal development at Hanover. It supports staff with structured career pathways, mentoring, and access to sector-leading training resources.

Hanover Connect has made waves within the sector as a standout digital innovation. The tool helps residents manage services, report issues, and access support, while enabling employees to respond faster and more effectively.

The full list of winners can be found here.