Housing trailblazer clinches double gold for sustainability and employees

A momentous night for a forward-thinking housing association saw it scoop two of Scotland’s most prestigious accolades in recognition of its environmental and people-first initiatives.

At the CIH Scotland Awards 2025, Hanover Scotland claimed top honours in the Net Zero in Housing and Excellence in Learning & Development categories – a reflection of its pioneering retrofit project and ambitious employee empowerment programme.

The double success was announced during a high-profile ceremony that celebrates outstanding contributions to the Scottish housing sector. Hanover’s achievements were recognised alongside a finalist nomination for a third project centred on digital transformation.

Hanover, a leading provider of housing and services for older people, took home the Net Zero in Housing award for its Kelvin Court Energy Efficiency Retrofit – a project which has drastically reduced carbon emissions across a key housing development.

By applying advanced retrofit measures to improve energy efficiency, the initiative has helped cut fuel bills and improve living standards for tenants, while underlining Hanover’s commitment to a more sustainable housing model.

Hanover’s Empowered People – Exceptional Results programme was crowned winner of the Excellence in Learning & Development category, having demonstrated how focused investment in staff growth can directly enhance service delivery and workplace morale.

The final accolade of the evening came in the form of a finalist spot in the Excellence in Housing Innovation category for Hanover Connect – a user-friendly digital platform created to streamline customer service, put tenants at the heart of decision-making, and strengthen engagement through smarter technology.

Angela Currie, Chief Executive at Hanover, said: “This is an incredible result and testament to the determination of our teams, partners and colleagues who share our commitment to excellence, sustainability, and progress.

“To walk away with two major awards – and recognition for a third – is no small feat. It reflects our dedication not just to bricks and mortar, but to the people and communities we serve across Scotland.

“From tackling carbon reduction through innovative retrofit solutions, to building an empowered workforce and embracing digital technology, we’re proud to be setting a benchmark in the housing sector.”

“These awards are a powerful endorsement of the direction we are taking. They speak to our values – of being progressive, people-focused, and proactive – and they drive us to keep raising the bar for tenants and our wider communities.”

The winning retrofit project at Kelvin Court was praised for its ability to integrate high-impact energy efficiency upgrades with minimal disruption to residents – setting a precedent for future retrofit activity within the sector.

Meanwhile, the Empowered People programme has embedded a culture of continuous learning and personal development at Hanover. It supports staff with structured career pathways, mentoring, and access to sector-leading training resources.

Hanover Connect has made waves within the sector as a standout digital innovation. The tool helps residents manage services, report issues, and access support, while enabling employees to respond faster and more effectively.

The CIH Scotland Awards, run by the Chartered Institute of Housing, are widely recognised as a benchmark of excellence in the sector. Each year, they attract dozens of high-calibre entries from housing associations, councils, developers and partners.

With entries independently judged by a panel of sector experts, winners are selected based on evidence of tangible impact, innovation, and scalability.

This year’s event drew attention not only for its celebration of organisational excellence but for highlighting the ever-evolving challenges faced by Scotland’s housing sector – including climate change, demographic shifts, and the digital divide.

Hanover’s success signals its readiness to tackle those challenges head-on and to play a leading role in shaping the future of housing in Scotland.