Homes for Good opens new headquarters and appoints chairman to lead its investment arm
Social enterprise letting agent Homes for Good has opened new headquarters in Glasgow.
The letting agent, which was named Social Enterprise of the Year at both the 2016 Scottish Social Enterprise Awards and the Scottish Business Awards, has taken over two unused shops in Bridgeton Main Street in Glasgow.
Its new premises include office space and a hub for tenants offering drop-in sessions on subjects including housing and fuel poverty, financial inclusion and employability alongside tailored training sessions for local landlords.
The move is part of what Homes For Good describes as the next phase of its ambitious growth plan.
The organisation has also appointed co-founder of Entrepreneurial Scotland, John Anderson, as the chairman of its investment arm Homes for Good Investments Limited.
Created in 2014, the investment arm purchases empty and dilapidated properties and transforms them into high quality homes for people with limited choice in housing.
Once developed, these properties are managed by Homes for Good Scotland (CIC).
To date, it has raised £8 million in equity and loan investment, and transformed over 140 properties, 75% of which are located in Glasgow.
Susan Aktemel, Homes for Good director, said Anderson’s appointment will help steer the direction of the organisation during its growth.
She 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.”
Commenting on his new appointment, Anderson - who is the head of small and medium sized enterprise engagement at Strathclyde Business School - said: “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.
“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.”
