Scotland’s largest social landlord has been shortlisted for one of Europe’s most prestigious prizes for business excellence.

Glasgow Housing Association (GHA) is in the running for the European Foundation for Quality Management’s top accolade, the Global Excellence Award.

This recognises the top-performing private, public and non-profit organisations of 2017 and pits GHA against everyone from technology giant Bosch to a Polish automotive industry manufacturer, a renowned Austrian health care provider and a Turkish municipality.

The winner will be announced by King Juan Carlos of Spain at a ceremony in Madrid later this month.

GHA, part of Wheatley Group, was assessed earlier this year by a team of international managers. The EFQM assessors spent a week interviewing everyone from Wheatley chief executive Martin Armstrong to housing and environmental officers and analysing performance in all areas.

GHA chair Bernadette Hewitt said: “Our wonderful staff just keep raising the bar in supporting tenants and communities across Glasgow.

“This shortlisting puts us in the company of some true international superstars and is worthy recognition of the passion, dedication and commitment they bring to their jobs day in, day out.”

Over 30,000 organisations across Europe have adopted the EFQM management framework. To be considered for an award, organisations must have – like GHA – the EFQM Five-Star Recognised for Excellence accreditation.

GHA has picked up two major EFQM awards previously: Leading with Vision, Inspiration and Integrity in 2013 and Building Organisational Capability in 2016.

Wheatley Group chief executive, Martin Armstrong, said: “The shortlisting for Europe’s top business award is a fitting milestone in GHA’s never-ending journey to excellence. I congratulate every single member of staff of this great organisation for fulfilling GHA’s motto, ‘Better Homes, Better Lives, a Better Glasgow’.”