The award represents a true commitment to employees and demonstrates a solid foundation of good practice which remains challenging and aspirational for many organisations.

Commenting on the award, Shona McIntyre, chairperson of the Association, said: “This is a positive finale to a great year for us, just as we are about to enter our 30th anniversary year in 2018. We have been rejuvenating our business while truly involving and listening to our people. To achieve this from scratch in about 18 months shows how far we have come.”

Peter Russian, chief executive of Remarkable, the home for Investors in People in Scotland, said: “This is a fantastic achievement for Ferguslie Park Housing Association. I would like to congratulate the organisation and its people on their commitment to continuous improvement. Investors in People offers a flexible, practical and easy to use business improvement tool designed to help organisations and their people achieve their objectives.

“I hope that more organisations in the area will be encouraged to show they’ve got what it takes to lead, support and manage people well for sustainable results by choosing to work with us.”

Ferguslie Park Housing Association is a social enterprise and a charity which is owned by its membership of local residents. It has 803 modern homes for social rent in Ferguslie Park and 17 staff. It operates from the Tannahill Centre in Ferguslie Park, Paisley. The community centre is at the heart of Ferguslie Park and is a subsidiary company of the housing association. Together they work to create an environment where the potential of Ferguslie Park is fully realised.

The Association has been rebuilding its approaches and services since the Scottish Housing Regulator required improvements in 2016.

Shona McIntyre added: “We are re-establishing good practice in all areas of our work and it’s encouraging to receive external validation of our success.”