Window and door manufacturer Shelforce won the ‘Most Significant Service Improvement’ award at the first ever Housing Awards.
City Housing, part of Birmingham City Council, launched the awards as part of its commitment to culture change and to acknowledge the hard work, successes and achievements of staff and businesses involved in social housing in Birmingham.
Shelforce, which specialises in providing high-quality PVC–U and aluminium products to local authority building projects, was nominated in the service improvement category, and shortlisted as finalists alongside two others.
The company was chosen as the winner due to its diverse and inclusive workforce, who understand what needs to be done to be successful to create an environment in which they are able to lead, innovate and use their skills to drive and improve the business. That team approach helped drive financial improvement from a £1.8m pressure in 2014 to profit/surplus within four years, with the company on course for record turnover this year.
Shelforce’s Business Manager Howard Trotter said: “We are delighted to be the first ever winners of the ‘Most Significant Service Improvement’ award at the very first Housing Awards. Being recognised for our achievements is fantastic for the team, and I was delighted to attend Council House with some of them to receive the award.”
One of six categories for the awards, which also included Partnership Working, Outstanding Innovation, Putting the Citizens at the Heart of Everything, Working Together and Housing Hero, were received and the initial shortlisting was undertaken by three Heads of Service from respective service areas, with the Directors deciding the winners.
Councillor Thompson, Cabinet Member for Housing and Homelessness, commented: “I’d like to congratulate Shelforce, who were worthy winners. Their approach to diversity, equality and inclusion has had a huge impact on the company’s success. We wanted to recognise and reward the achievements within the sector by peers nominating each other and we are planning on an annual event from now on.”
