Scottish entrepreneurship and growth specialist John Anderson has been appointed to chair the investment arm of Scotland’s first social enterprise letting agency Homes for Good.

Homes for Good Investments Limited was created in 2014 to develop a portfolio of quality homes for people on low income and housing benefit who have limited choice in the housing market.

To date, it has raised £8 million in equity and loan investment, and transformed over 140 properties, 75% of which are located in Glasgow. Its backers include Impact Ventures UK, Charity Bank and Big Society Capital.

In November 2015 it was named ‘Outstanding Initiative of the Year’ by Shelter Scotland for developing 49 empty homes.

Currently head of SME engagement at Strathclyde Business School, John joins the business as it prepares for its next stage of expansion.

He said: “I am delighted to be joining Homes for Good at this important time and to be working with the business as it enters the next phase in its ambitious growth plan. I have always believed in the potential for business to combine strong financial performance with creating social impact and improving lives, and this business is a perfect example.”

John brings considerable entrepreneurial experience to his new role – including an impressive track record in non-executive chairman and director roles for a number of high growth businesses.

In 2014, he co-founded Entrepreneurial Scotland, the leading member network for Scottish business entrepreneurs, having previously been chief executive of the Entrepreneurial Exchange for more than 12 years. John also acts as programme director for Strathclyde’s pioneering Growth Advantage Programme which delivers relevant, accessible and practical learning for the leaders of ambitious businesses in Scotland by combining world class executive education with the power of peer learning.

Homes for Good has recently relocated to new premises in Bridgeton, having identified the area as having a significantly higher percentage of households living in the private rented sector than the average for Glasgow as a whole.

Located on Bridgeton Main Street, the new premises include a dedicated support and information hub for tenants in the private rented sector alongside the company’s new headquarters from where it will manage a growing portfolio of properties throughout the central belt and west of Scotland.

Susan Aktemel, director of Homes for Good, said: “Homes for Good Investments is at an exciting crossroads in its journey, and along with my fellow board members Chris Hunter and Alex Pollock I very much welcome John into the team. John shares our commitment to social business, and the central role of housing in people’s lives, and I know that his wealth of experience in business will be invaluable as we go forward.”

John added: “Susan and her team have made remarkable progress over the last three years, and I now look forward to helping drive that continued expansion across Scotland.”