Enterprise guru John Anderson to chair Homes for Good Investments Ltd

Scottish entrepreneurship and growth specialist John Anderson has been appointed to chair the investment arm of Scotland’s first social enterprise letting agency, Homes for Good, as the business enters the next phase of an ambitious growth plan.

Established in March 2013, Homes for Good operates as a social business, offering landlords a top-class property service, while reinvesting all profits into helping vulnerable tenants make happy, secure homes in their rented properties.

The company was named Social Enterprise of the Year at the 2016 Scottish Social Enterprise Awards and went on to win the same accolade at last year’s Scottish Business Awards.

Homes for Good Investments Limited was created in 2014 to develop a portfolio of quality homes for people on low income and housing benefit who have limited choice in the housing market.

To date, it has raised £8 million in equity and loan investment, and transformed over 140 properties, 75 per cent of which are located in Glasgow.

Its backers include Impact Ventures UK, Charity Bank and Big Society Capital.

In November 2015 it was named “Outstanding Initiative of the Year” by Shelter Scotland, for developing 49 empty homes.

Mr Anderson is head of SME Engagement at Strathclyde Business School and brings considerable entrepreneurial experience to his new role at Homes for Good Investments – including an impressive track record in non-executive Chairman and Director roles for a number of high growth businesses.

In 2014, he co-founded Entrepreneurial Scotland, the leading member network for Scottish business entrepreneurs, having previously been chief executive of the Entrepreneurial Exchange for more than 12 years. John also acts as programme director for Strathclyde’s pioneering Growth Advantage Programme which delivers relevant, accessible and practical learning for the leaders of ambitious businesses in Scotland by combining world class executive education with the power of peer learning.

Commenting on his new appointment as Chair of Homes for Good Investments, John Anderson, said: “I am delighted to be joining Homes for Good at this important time and to be working with the business as it enters the next phase in its ambitious growth plan. 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 3 years, and I now look forward to helping drive that continued expansion across Scotland.”

Susan Aktemel, director of Homes for Good, 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.”

Homes for Good has recently relocated to new premises in Bridgeton, having identified the area as having a significantly higher percentage of households living in the private rented sector than the average for Glasgow as a whole.

Located on Bridgeton Main Street, the new premises include a dedicated support and information hub for tenants in the private rented sector – the first of its kind in Scotland – alongside the company’s new headquarters from where it will manage a growing portfolio of properties throughout the central belt and west of Scotland.