Kent Housing Group Excellence Awards celebrate the best of the best

Teams and individuals working in the housing sector across the county have enjoyed success in the Kent Housing Group (KHG) Excellence Awards.

The annual awards – the Oscars for our regional housing sector – celebrate the very best projects, professionals and partnerships across housing in Kent and Medway.

“Our members share a passion for housing delivery. It’s not just a job – it's the reason we strain every sinew to ensure we serve the people and places in our great county,” said KHG Chair Brian Horton as he addressed an audience of more than 100 housing professionals who gathered at the awards ceremony at Eastgate in Northfleet this week.

“Once again, the judges have been touched by the passion and purpose behind the vital contributions colleagues in housing are making in Kent and Medway. The innovation and the vision that are demonstrated illustrate the caring side of housing and the drive we have to make a difference. 

“Our housing sector faces considerable challenges but seeing so many success stories gives us enthusiasm for the art of the possible and enables us all to go back to the day job inspired by what we have seen and heard here.”

The winners were announced at an awards ceremony hosted by KHG Executive Board member Becs Wilcox. The Group is thankful for sponsorship from Southern Housing, South East Consortium (SEC) and CMSG React.

Brian Horton presented a KHG Chair’s Lifetime Achievement Award to Ashley Hook, who recently retired after 16 years as Chief Executive of mhs homes.

In addition, Kent Housing Group’s Helen Miller was presented with the KHG Chair’s Award, while the Chair himself, Brian Horton – who describes himself as a “housing enthusiast” – was the recipient of the KHG Board’s Special Recognition Award. 

Presenting the award to Brian, Ashford Borough Council Chief Executive Tracey Kerly said: “Brian is one of the kindest, most committed people I have met in my professional career. He is the most deserving winner in the world of housing today, with such a broad knowledge and understanding of the complexities of working across the huge range of work required in housing.”

Category winners and highly commended:

KHG Lifetime Achievement Award – Ashley Hook

KHG Chair’s Award – Helen Miller of KHG

KHG Board’s Special Recognition Award – Brian Horton of KHG

Asset Management – winner Krystal Reynolds from Golding Homes; highly commended Thanet District Council’s Responsive Repairs team

Associate Professional – winner Pete Fry from Medway Council; highly commended George Taylor, Stephen Simpson and Tommy James from Ashford Borough Council

Community Project – two winners in this category – Getaway Garden (with Future Skills CIC) from Town & Country Housing, and Jobs Plus at Southern Housing; highly commended Thanet District Council’s High Rise Living Group

Delivering Services for Vulnerable People – winner DAHA at Sevenoaks District Council; highly commended Elle Bolton, Substance Misuse Pilot at Maidstone Borough Council, and RISE at Thanet District Council

Development and Regeneration – winner Crescent Road at Tunbridge Wells Borough Council; highly commended Fortis House, Ashford Borough Council’s move-on accommodation scheme delivered with ZED PODS

Housing Professional – winner Mandie Stallard from Golding Homes; highly commended Michelle Jackson from Thanet District Council; and also Sean Richards from West Kent Housing Association

Innovation – winner Fortis House, Ashford Borough Council with ZED PODS; highly commended Terry Vine from Thanet District Council

Partnership – winner Medway Winter Project at Medway Council; highly commended LAHF Partnership (delivery in motion) and also Housing and Community Hub, both Sevenoaks District Council

Private Sector Housing – winners ABC Lettings service at Ashford Borough Council; highly commended Maxine Evans from Dartford Borough Council

Team of the Year – winner Housing Revenue Account Property Services team at Medway Council; highly commended Kent County Council’s Gypsy, Roma, Traveller Resident service, and also Gravesham Borough Council’s Rough Sleeping Initiative

Unsung Community Hero/Neighbour of the Year – two winners in this category – Sam Bunting, a tenant of Ashford Borough Council, and also Paulette Giddings, a tenant of Gravesham Borough Council; highly commended Kathy King, a member of Dartford Tenants & Leaseholders Forum

Young Professional of the Year – winner Ellis Reynolds from Clarion Housing; and two highly commended – Nesrene Boumnijel from Ashford Borough Council, and Dartford Borough Council’s Eleanor McCreadie