SOCIAL landlord Wales & West Housing is the first organisation in Wales to be awarded the Investors in People Platinum Standard - the country’s highest mark of excellence for business and people management.

The award recognises Wales & West Housing not only as a great employer to its 450 staff, but also as “making a difference” to the 20,000 residents living in their homes and communities.

The organisation, which has its head office in Llanishen, Cardiff, is one of the oldest housing associations in Wales and has around 11,500 homes across 15 local authority areas. It also employs staff at regional offices at Newcastle Emlyn and St David’s Park, Ewloe. It has more than 1,000 homes in Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion.

Last year it contributed £87m to the Welsh economy and spent more than £20m building 253 new affordable homes in North, South and West Wales.

Over the next three years it plans to work with Welsh contractors and suppliers on a £35m investment programme to modernise its existing homes to make them warmer, safer and more affordable for its residents.

Wales & West Housing is the only organisation in Wales to achieve the Platinum award level since it was launched in 2015. Previously it had achieved the highest gold award in 2012 and 2014. The Sunday Times Best Companies 2017 has also ranked WWH as the top not-for-profit business in Wales for the sixth year running.

In its report IIP stated: “Strong sustainable growth to make a difference to people’s lives, home and communities” was observed throughout the assessment, it runs through everything they do, from the leaders to the cleaners, 'Making a Difference' is a consistent theme.

"There is a clear focus on understanding what matters to residents, doing the right thing and designing systems to deliver what matters,” the report said.

Paul Devoy, head of Investors in People, said: “We’d like to congratulate Wales & West Housing, Investors in People accreditation is the sign of a great employer, an outperforming place to work and a clear commitment to success. WWH should be extremely proud of their achievement.”

Chief executive of Wales & West Housing, Anne Hinchey, said: “This is a fantastic result and we could not have achieved it without each and every one of our staff.”

“As an organisation we have a clear vision and shared passion for doing the right thing and believe that we are stronger working together to achieve positive outcomes for our people and the residents they support.

“To be awarded the first IIP Platinum Standard in Wales is an amazing endorsement and shows that our people and leaders feel that WWH is a great place to work with passion, pride and commitment to meet the needs of its residents.

“Meeting the platinum standard does not mean we are perfect. We are aware of our weaknesses and will continue to build on our strengths and share best practice in the future.”