Clackmannanshire Council’s housing operations manager, Jennifer Queripel, has been chosen by the Chartered Institute of Housing Scotland as the 2017 winner of the Excellence in Leadership Award.

Judges from the Association of Local Authority Chief Housing Officers (ALACHO) were impressed with the way that Jennifer had led a change management programme that has focussed on going the extra mile for customers, whilst improving efficiency through reducing waste.

Selecting Jennifer ahead of nominees from all over Scotland, they were particularly impressed with the increased levels of tenant satisfaction expressed in a recent independent survey. Overall satisfaction with Clackmannanshire Council housing service now stands at 94%, the highest of any local authority in Scotland.

Annie Mauger, executive director of CIH Scotland, said: “It is wonderful to be able to celebrate such an impressive standard of excellence across so many varied categories of housing practice at this year’s CIH Scotland Excellence Awards – both in terms of the overall winners and also all those short-listed for an award. As the home of professional standards in housing, CIH Scotland is committed to ensuring that the hard work and dedication of thousands of frontline housing professionals working right across Scotland are properly recognised and celebrated.

“These annual awards offer an ideal opportunity to do that while providing a great source of inspiration and pride for everyone working in housing in Scotland.”

Jennifer said: “I am absolutely delighted to receive this award which I regard as the highlight of my career to date. I would like to thank my hard working team, and the councillors who have supported and encouraged me in making changes to the housing service in recent years. The award really is for Clackmannanshire Council.”

Council chief executive, Elaine McPherson, added: “Councillors and senior managers are delighted for Jennifer and that her leadership and success has been recognised by the Chartered Institute of Housing Scotland. It is a tremendous accolade and well-deserved.”