The awards recognise and celebrate housing organisations, staff, volunteers, tenants, residents, and community groups who are leading the way and making positive change in the Scottish social housing sector.

Categories honour excellence in everything from partnership working, tenant participation and scrutiny practice, to digital creativity and innovation. Hotly anticipated, the awards offer a seal of approval for the most outstanding work.

This year, TIS, received an impressive response and welcomed high quality nominations across all seven award categories. Finalists were selected from a longlist of applicants by an independent judging panel that included representatives from Barrhead Housing Association, Dundee City Council, the Scottish Government, and South Lanarkshire Council Tenant Participation Coordination Group.

TIS chief executive, Ilene Campbell, said: “Each year applications get better and better, and this year was no different. The exceptional quality of entries really shined through, and this strength highlights the fantastic developments organisations are taking to lead the way.”

Finalists from across Scotland make this year’s shortlist a hotly anticipated contest in a bid to receive one of seven prestigious trophies. The award ceremony and gala dinner will take place on the evening of Thursday 9th November at the iconic Grand Central Hotel in Glasgow, and will be presented by Scottish actor and comedian, Gary Lamont.

The theme of the ceremony is the Grand Gatsby. Prepare to be transported back in time, to an era of glittering excitement and elegance – surrounded by the Grand Central’s historic glamour and grandeur. The event is ticketed and includes a 3-course gala dinner and evening entertainment.

Ms Campbell added: “Congratulations to all finalists and thank you to everyone who submitted a nomination this year.”

The finalists include:

Young Achiever of the Year

• Leah McGuire - housing assistant at Linthouse Housing Association
• Rebecca Cuthbert - chairperson at Aberdeen City Council Youth Movement
• Robyn Kane - chairperson at Moredun Multis and Maisonettes Residents’ Group

Outstanding Contribution to Tenant Participation (Housing Staff) - Sponsored by the Scottish Government

• David Murray - neighbourhood coach at East Ayrshire Council
• Ian Macpherson - community engagement and participation officer at Cunninghame Housing Association
• Jonathan Giddings-Reid - community regeneration officer at Elderpark Housing Association
• Neil Watts - data business planning and improvement manager at Aberdeenshire Council

Outstanding Contribution to Tenant Participation Frances Nelson MBE (Individual Tenant) - Sponsored by Dundee City Council

• Betty Stone - convenor at Edinburgh Tenants’ Federation
• Lewis McGill - tenant of Aberdeen City Council
• Lisa Fulton - chairperson at Campbell Area Tenants’ and Residents’ Association
• Sofiia Kalinovska - tenant at Govan Housing Association

Excellence in Scrutiny Danny Mullen (Working in Partnership)

• Argyll Community Housing Association in partnership with Your Voice Group
• Cunninghame Housing Association in partnership with Cunninghame Scrutiny Group
• Horizon Housing Association in partnership with Resident Improvement Group
• Link Housing Association in partnership with Link Tenant Scrutiny Panel
• East Lothian Council in partnership with Tenant Scrutiny Group

Excellence in Digital (Housing Organisation) - Sponsored by CIH Scotland

• Aberdeenshire Council
• Bield Housing and Care
• East Lothian Council

Tenant Group of the Year - Sponsored by the International Union of Tenants

• Campbell Area Tenants’ and Residents’ Association
• Gauchalland East Tenants’ and Residents’ Federation
• Gilfoot Tenants’ and Residents’ Association
• Brunton Court Tenants’ Group

Housing Organisation of the Year - Sponsored by AICO

• Barrhead Housing Association
• Elderpark Housing Association
• Kingdom Housing Association