The head of one of Scotland’s leading housing and care providers has been named as one of the most influential people in the sector.

Fanchea Kelly, chief executive of Blackwood, has been named on Inside Housing’s ‘Power List’ – a definitive run down of those leaders who are championing solutions to important issues facing the sector.

Emma Maier, editor of Inside Housing, said: “The Scottish Leaders List seeks to recognise the individuals who are leading and driving progress; leaders who are inspirational, motivational, visionary, passionate, dynamic and courageous.

“Customer focus, effective people management and communication and listening skills also topped the list, as did the values of honesty and fairness.

“All show ambition, drive and determination, and in doing so, make an important contribution to ensuring that more people have a quality home to live in.”

Fanchea joined Blackwood in September 2013 and has more than 20 years’ experience in senior housing and care roles across Scotland.

Her entry in the list notes that as “former head of inspection at then regulator Communities Scotland, she has one of the widest experiences of housing management in the country”.

It continues: “In her current role at Blackwood, she encourages new ideas from staff. Earlier this year, her team won the Outstanding Approach to Promoting Digital Inclusion award at the UK Housing Awards, with its CleverCogs system.”

CleverCogs is Blackwood’s digitally enhanced care system which works to keep people independent, in control and in their home, with its touch screen home hub at the heart of the software.

Fanchea said: “It’s great to be included in Inside Housing inaugural list and I am very pleased that they paid tribute to CleverCogs, highlighting how we at Blackwood are using technology to make peoples’ lives better.”