RBH bags four awards in a month

National Housing Federation’s ‘Safer Streets’ award

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Rochdale Boroughwide Housing, the UK’s first tenant and employee owned housing mutual, is delighted after bagging four awards in the space of a month!

RBH is thrilled that two of its employee members have won prestigious awards.

Inspirational employee member Tony Dempsey is celebrating after being named as ‘Employee Ownership Champion’ at the prestigious Phillip Baxendale Awards. Tony was commended for his passionate belief of mutual ownership as making a real difference in public service delivery. Tony has consistently supported and promoted employee ownership, working tirelessly and often undertaking activities in addition and far removed from his day to day work.

RBH were then thrilled to learn that another employee member, Paul Blayney, has won the highly regarded Chartered Institute of Housing’s (CIH) ‘Nicky Chapman’ award as the Positive Action Trainee. Paul won RBH’s Trainee of the Year in 2011 where he was recognised for his enthusiasm and commitment: Paul quickly adapted to working with his new team; successfully completed his qualification and managed to find time to welcome a new addition to his family!

The Chair of the Judging Panel for the Nicky Chapman Award, Professor Paddy Gray, said: "This award demonstrates the commitment and enthusiasm Paul brings to improving people’s lives. I hope this will be one of Paul’s many achievements throughout his working career."

Paul has been invited to the prestigious CIH Presidential Dinner in February next year to be held at the National History Museum in London.

These award wins follows hot on the heels of triumphs just a few weeks ago where RBH were delighted to announce that their ‘It’s Our Neighbourhood’ project won the National Housing Federation’s ‘Safer Streets’ award. Not only that, but RBH was crowned the overall winner from the North West meaning that a national award is within touching distance!

Gareth Swarbrick, chief executive at RBH, said: “It’s proving to be a really positive year for RBH so far. I am delighted that our employees commitment to our new mutual values has been recognised nationally. This really does show that the mutual model is beginning to make a difference. Obviously we now need to build on this.”