For-profit registered provider Hellens Residential Limited has been named as the fastest growing ‘small’ company in the north east of England for the second year in a row.
The Ward Hadaway Fastest 50 Awards, now in their 23rd year, celebrate the fastest growing privately-owned businesses in the region, based on financial data filed with Companies House.
Hellens Residential Limited was named as the fastest growing company in the region in the ‘small’ business category.
Hellens also placed fourth in the overall list.
In the last 12 months, Hellens Residential has seen its turnover grow by 66.4% according to the index.
Its property portfolio has grown from 200 properties last year to its current tally of 250.
The company has also more than doubled its staff in the past six months, as it prepares for an even more accelerated growth programme, including as the affordable delivery partner at the proposed Burtree Garden Village development in Darlington.
Since April, the company has taken on two apprentices and two people using the government’s Kickstart scheme, alongside a graduate surveyor and experienced housing officer.
Background
Hellens Residential Limited is a private, for-profit registered provider and was created in 2012 by Hellens Group owners Kate Hellens and Gavin Cordwell-Smith.
Cordwell-Smith and Hellens started the business with the aim of making a positive social impact with the cash surpluses generated from the construction, development, and manufacturing businesses within the group.
Its 250 properties across the north-east, Tees Valley, and Yorkshire, offer affordable rent as well as rent-to-buy options for lower income families.
Further growth plans at Hellens Residential include 500 affordable homes to be delivered at Burtree Garden Village, which is being brought forward jointly between Hellens Group and Homes England.
‘Commitment and dedication’
Kate Hellens, managing director of Hellens Residential Limited, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to be named among the fastest growing north-east companies for the second year in a row.
“Despite the adversity of the past 18 months, at Hellens Residential we have not lost sight of our mission – to create comfortable and secure homes from which our customers can build stable lives.
“To once again be recognised for our rapid growth is testament to the commitment and dedication of our whole team.”
She continued: “In order to fulfil our aim of providing first rate customer service and maintaining our close relationship with customers, we have grown the team by 100% over the past six months.
“This will enable us to maintain our support across the board, especially as we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Our expansion plans for Hellens Residential remain ambitious with plans to double our housing stock within five years, expanding our offer to support more and more people to access high-quality, affordable homes.
“Looking ahead, we hope to deliver a further 500 affordable homes over the next 15 years at Hellens Group’s Burtree Garden Village in Darlington.”
Hellens Residential Ltd is a private for-profit registered provider of social housing for affordable rent and low-cost home ownership, with offices in Washington, Tyne and Wear and Stockton-on-Tees, Tees Valley.
Read next: bLEND makes £75m bond sustainable as it launches new framework
Are you a social housing professional? Sign up for a FREE MEMBERSHIP to upload news stories, post job vacancies, and connect with colleagues on our secure social feed.