Wheatley’s focus on innovation, quality and improvement, and its work in “Making homes and lives better” for thousands of people across the country earned Scotland’s largest housing, care and property-management group a top-10 placing.

The competition judges, Eamon McGoldrick, managing director of the National Federation of ALMOs; Jenny Osbourne, chief executive of tenant engagement experts TPAS; and Chris Smith, editor of 24housing, were impressed by the scale of Wheatley’s investment in homes and communities, as well as its “ground-breaking” partnerships with organisations, such as Police Scotland and Scottish Fire and Rescue, in tackling crime and anti-social behaviour.

They said: “Their determination to lead has impressed. It is clearly a case of Scotland the Brave.”

Wheatley chief executive Martin Armstrong said: “This is another fantastic achievement by our dedicated staff, reflecting our total commitment to supporting and serving people, families and communities across Scotland.

“Working with partners and stakeholders, Wheatley is working harder than ever on behalf of the people we work for, including some of the most vulnerable people in society.”