Innovators from across the UK descended on Birmingham’s Edgbaston Stadium last night to celebrate the individuals and organisations transforming the housing sector.
The Housing Digital Innovation Awards 2023 – sponsored by TCW – saw more than 400 people turn out, once again proving there is a strong appetite to recognise and celebrate the wealth of innovation that has taken place within housing over the past year.
Twenty-six awards were up for grabs, recognising everything from retrofitting to digital inclusion, modular construction to financial ingenuity.
The celebrations continued long into the night, with entertainment provided by Bandeoke, who ensured guests strutted their stuff on the dancefloor – and even the stage.
Special guest John Volanthen
There were many special guests at this year’s ceremony, including presenter and reporter Marverine Cole, who hosted the Awards.
The headline act was John Volanthen, the British cave diver who played a key role in the Tham Luang cave rescue in 2018.
The Thai Cave Rescue, as it is commonly referred to, saw Volanthen and a team of divers rescue 13 young boys who had found themselves trapped in one of the country’s longest cave systems.
The entire room was in awe as Volanthen recounted the details of his daring rescue.
He attributed the success of the operation to teamwork and positivity, factors he said could engender success in any area or industry – including housing.
Highlights
THE WINNERS
BEST ASSET MANAGEMENT INNOVATION (sponsored by Viewber)
- Winner: Aico | HomeLINK
The judges said: This is a fantastic example of an organisation transforming their service delivery through the adoption of IoT and data. Also to give credit to their agile project delivery approach – starting with the deployment of Fire and CO detectors, moving into other environmental data monitoring such as damp/mould.
BEST USE OF AN EMERGING TECHNOLOGY IN HOUSEBUILDING (sponsored by Tricas)
- Winner: Midland Heart
The judges said: This is an amazing project which fully addresses the use of various emerging technologies and sets the bar for homes that model the Future Homes Standard. Love the customer app!
BEST REPAIRS & MAINTENANCE INNOVATION (sponsored by Echelon Group)
- Winner: Plentific
The judges said: This is an innovation which is clearly having an impact in improving general maintenance, at scale, across the social housing sector. They particularly like the fact it really considers the occupant and carbon reduction.
- Highly commended: GreenSquareAccord & Jewson
BEST FIRE SAFETY INNOVATION
- Winner: ONE Engage
The judges said: This is a fantastic solution for connecting key partners and customers for information sharing and fire management. A great example of how to communicate business critical information securely, effectively and efficiently across key stakeholders to improve information flow and improve the chances of a successful outcome.
- Highly commended: C-TEC
MOST INNOVATIVE RETROFIT/REFURBISHMENT SCHEME (sponsored by Switchee)
- Winner: The SHDF Demonstrator Project – Northampton Partnership Homes
The judges said: It was great to see a project taking a fabric first and deep retrofit approach to decarbonisation at scale. A job well done with sound numbers around carbon reduction, a practical and successful energy driven retrofit at real scale.
BEST SUSTAINABILITY INNOVATION (sponsored by Convene ESG)
- Winner: Data Energy
The judges said: This is a great innovation that is clearly effective in recording data to monitor energy usage, and is a great contribution to the wider decarbonisation agenda
MOST INNOVATIVE FINANCE MODEL (sponsored by Gowling WLG)
- Winner: ARA Venn
The judges said: ARA Venn demonstrated strong partnership results and customer testimonials – helping organisations secure much needed and subsidised funding for affordable housing during tough economic times.
MOST INNOVATIVE FINANCIAL SUPPORT SCHEME (sponsored by Voicescape)
- Winner: Housing 21
The judges said: This was a comprehensive service providing advice as well as targeted financial support. Housing 21 are doing everything possible to help those in our communities most in need and worst affected by the cost of living crisis while also innovating by bringing in new digital contact channels.
MOST INNOVATIVE SUPPORT/CARE SERVICE
- Winner: Sunderland City Council
The judges said: This was a fantastic integration of new technology in building design.
BEST DIGITAL EXPERIENCE (REGISTERED PROVIDERS) (sponsored by Exactly)
- Winner: Stockport Homes Group
The judges said: Using Hotjar to gain insight clearly informed how the website has been structured to meet the needs of its users. The website has clearly improved user experience and the dual approach of resident engagement and analytic tools is commendable.
BEST DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION (sponsored by Operance)
- Winner: Raven Housing Trust
The judges said: It was good to see that Raven’s strategy was focussed on customer experience as well as digital innovation. A really good ground up and integrated approach, with combinations of colleague, stakeholder and customer benefits.
MOST INNOVATIVE NEW BUILD (sponsored by Cadline)
- Winner: Hafan, Ferry Road
The judges said: This is an outstanding innovation. A volumetric off-site construction with social value. Fantastic to see a new build that is net zero, as well as healthy, environmentally friendly, and a great example of Modern Methods of Construction.
BEST CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE INNOVATION (SUPPLIERS)
- Winner: Kurve Technologies
The judges said: Putting the power into the hands of residents so they can reduce fuel bills is a great customer experience innovation!
MOST INNOVATIVE APPROACH TO TENANT COMMUNICATIONS
- Winner: Voicescape
The judges said: This was an excellent example of the use of nudge theory alongside technology and the positive impacts this can have on customers. Great use of automation with clear benefits outlined with some good personal stories in the submission.
MOST INNOVATIVE APPROACH TO CULTURE & WELLBEING (sponsored by OmniLedger)
- Winner: Blackpool Coastal Housing
The judges said: Over 90% staff satisfaction is impressive and this was a multipronged approach which addresses physical and mental wellbeing as well as recognising the specific local issues.
MOST INNOVATIVE PARTNERSHIP
- Winner: Peabody and Cook for Good
The judges said: This partnership has resulted in a self-sustaining business model in Cook for Good, as Peabody has enabled them to grow their own revenue stream – critical for longer term viability. A fantastic partnership with continued proven results year-on-year – and never more needed than now!
MOST INNOVATIVE PRODUCT (HARDWARE)
- Winner: SolShare – Allume Energy
The judges said: An exciting solar panel product that would really help to reduce bills for people living in apartment blocks.
MOST INNOVATIVE PRODUCT (SOFTWARE)
- Winner: Caseload Manager – Voicescape
The judges said: Voicescape have gone one step further than the other leading technology providers in arrears management by automatic the process until the human touch is required. Developed in partnership with a customer, Caseload Manager has improved arrears collection and reduced the amount of time spent on chasing arrears.
MOST INNOVATIVE SUPPLIER
- Winner: Plexus Innovation
The judges said: Plexus displayed innovation that is helping improve service, as well as health and safety and environmental performance. A great example of an SME innovation company making an impact in the sector.
MOST INNOVATIVE CONTRACTOR
- Winner: Data Energy
The judges said: Data Energy’s development of bespoke solutions to reduce energy costs is an excellent example of how data is being used not only to reduce carbon emissions, but also to save residents money in the process.
MOST INNOVATIVE CONSULTANCY
- Winner: Operance
The judges said: Operance’s BIM digital toolkit is a welcomed service, benefitting the sector as a whole for free, especially for clients for whom BIM is too unwieldly. An innovative consultancy operating model!
BEST TECHNOLOGY PARTNER
- Winner: Plentific
The judges said: Plentific are delivering measurable results for customers. The marketplace tool is a great idea to bring into social housing what is happening in the private sector and is clearly driving service improvements, with repair times coming down as a result – which will be welcomed across the sector!
BEST DIGITAL INNOVATION TEAM (sponsored by VerseOne)
- Winner: Origin
The judges said: It was great to see the collaboration between the business and technology, driving the agenda forwards and bringing together multiple company departments to create a dedicated working team. Moving from paper to digital is hard and Origin should be commended for being needs-led with a focus on operational improvements.
YOUNG INNOVATOR (sponsored by ROCC)
- Winner: Sam Bunyan – Switchee
The judges said: Sam has shown how obtaining feedback from all users and building that into product development can result in a great app. Excellent work always putting the customer first and thinking about the user experience before the technical solution. A great example of an individual who is both innovative and inspiring!
- Highly commended: Soni Pius – Falkirk Council
INNOVATION CHAMPION
- Winner: Tom Robins – Switchee
The judges said: Tom is clearly an inspirational leader and champion of innovation, driving a culture of creativity, not just at Switchee, but across the housing sector. An Innovative and pioneering approach which other business leaders could learn from.
MOST INNOVATIVE HOUSING PROVIDER
- Winner: Sunderland City Council
The judges said: Sunderland City Council demonstrated a really good blend of support, technology, and design and it was nice to see the potential of commercial tech being used for this purpose. A great example of incorporating technology into how they can support their residents now and also into the future.
This year’s awards were delivered in partnership with Helping Hands of Birmingham, a non-profit organisation that provides relief to homeless people and rough sleepers in Birmingham through the provision of food, drinks, clothing, and toiletries.
Housing Digital Innovation Awards 2023 guests raised more than £2,000 for the charity.
Read next: Housing Digital Innovation Awards 2023: Who are the finalists?
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