Thank you to all the guests who attended KHG Excellence Awards 2026 ceremony on Monday 21 September 2026 at The GlassBox Theatre, MidKent College, Gillingham. We also appreciate the sponsors for their support.
We had a great time celebrating Kent and Medway’s housing sector’s shining stars and hearing about their good practice and what motivates them to deliver such excellent service and innovative projects.
See the photos from the ceremony below this article.
Read more about the ceremony in our news section: KHG Excellence Awards celebrate housing heroes – Kent Housing Group
The KHG Excellence Awards 2026 was sponsored by South East Consortium, Southern Housing and Rosherville.
Councillor Vince Maple, Leader of Medway Council, gives the opening remarks.
Category winners and highly commended
KHG Chair’s Award
Presented by Tracey Kerly on behalf of Brian Horton, KHG Co-chair and sponsor of the category.
Winner: Tim Woolmer
Tim Woolmer (R) receives the KHG Chair’s Award, presented by Tracey Kerly, CEO Ashford Borough Council.
Asset Management
Presented by South East Consortium CEO, Jas Rai
Winner: Barb Wilkins, Folkestone and Hythe District Council
Barb Wilkins poses with the Excellence in Asset Management Award
Asset Management
Presented by South East Consortium CEO, Jas Rai.
Highly Commended: Damp, Condensation & Mould Team, Golding Homes.
The team pose with their highly-commended certificate
Asset Management
Presented by South East Consortium CEO, Jas Rai.
Highly Commended: Kerry Elliman, West Kent Housing Association.
Kerry Elliman pictured with the highly-commended certificate
Associate Professional
Presented by Rosherville, sponsor of the category.
Winner: Jo Stocks, Ashford Borough Council.
Jo Stocks on stage posing with the Excellent Associate Professional Award
Associate Professional
Presented by Rosherville, sponsor of the category.
Highly Commended: Ellie Millard & Resettlement Team, Ashford Borough Council.
Ellie Millard poses with the highly-commended certificate on behalf of the Resettlement Team
Community Project
Presented by Southern Housing, sponsor of the category.
Winner: Old Schools Lodge Community Garden, Porchlight.
The team pose for a photo with their award.
Community Project
Presented by Southern Housing, sponsor of the category.
Highly Commended: Community Capacity Building Training, Town and Country Housing & Social Enterprise Kent.
The team pose with their highly-commended certificate
Delivering Services for Vulnerable People
Presented by Rosherville, sponsor of the category.
Winner: Dartford Health Hub, Porchlight.
Dartford Health Hub team on stage with their award
Delivering Services for Vulnerable People
Presented by Rosherville, sponsor of the category.
Highly Commended: Francis Casey, Thanet District Council.
Francis Casey poses with highly-commended certificate
Development and Regeneration
Presented by South East Consortium, sponsor of the category.
Winner: Phase 4 Affordable Homes New-Build Programme, Thanet District Council.
Winners of the Development and Regeneration Category pose with their award
Development and Regeneration
Presented by South East Consortium, sponsor of the category.
Highly Commended: Hallwood House, MHS Homes.
The team celebrate their highly-commended recognition
Development and Regeneration
Presented by South East Consortium, sponsor of the category.
Highly Commended: 31a St Peter’s Place, Canterbury City Council.
The team celebrate their highly-commended recognition
Housing Professional
Presented by Southern Housing, sponsor of the category.
Winner: Rebecca Bourke, Moat.
Rebecca Bourke poses for a photo, after winning the Excellent Housing Professional Award
Housing Professional
Presented by Southern Housing, sponsor of the category.
Highly Commended: Sylvia Roberts, Ashford Borough Council.
Sylvia Roberts recognised as highly-commended Housing Professional
Housing Professional
Presented by Southern Housing, sponsor of the category.
Highly Commended: Simone Bennett-Crump.
Simone Bennett-Crump recognised as highly-commended Housing Professional
Innovator of the Year
Presented by South East Consortium, sponsor of the category.
Winner: Elizabeth Mitchell, Ashford Borough Council.
Elizabeth Mitchell poses with innovator of the year award.
Innovator of the Year
Presented by South East Consortium, sponsor of the category.
Highly Commended: Geoff Dunstall, Swale Borough Council.
Geoff Dunstall with the highly-commended certificate.
Innovator of the Year
Presented by South East Consortium, sponsor of the category.
Honorary mention: Home Energy and Water Advice Service, Golding Homes.
Home Energy and Water Advice Service receive an honorary mention.
Partnership
Presented by Rosherville, sponsor of the category.
Winner: Grounds Maintenance Resident Inspector Project, West Kent Housing Association.
The project team pose with their award
Partnership
Presented by Rosherville, sponsor of the category.
Highly Commended: Ringside Revival: A Community Fightback, Golding Homes and Skillcrown.
The team pose with their highly-commended award.
Private Sector Housing
Presented by Southern Housing, sponsor of the category.
Winner: Landlord Team, Swale Borough Council.
The landlord team display their award
Private Sector Housing
Presented by Southern Housing, sponsor of the category.
Highly Commended: Lothifa Begum, Dartford Borough Council.
Team of the year
Presented by Rosherville, sponsor of the category.
Winner: Housing Options & Allocations Service, Ashford Borough Council.
The team pose with their Excellence Award on stage
Team of the year
Presented by Rosherville, sponsor of the category.
Winner: Thanet Housing Options Team, Thanet District Council.
Thanet Housing Options team celebrate their Excellence Award
Unsung Community Hero/ Neighbour of the Year
Presented by South East Consortium, sponsor of the category.
Winner: Mike Francis, Canterbury City Council Resident.
Mike Francis poses for a photo after winning the Neighbour of the Year Award
Young Professional
Presented by Southern Housing, sponsor of the category.
Winner: Kacey Byard, Town and Country Housing
Kacey Byard poses with the Excellent Young Professional Award.
Young Professional
Presented by Southern Housing, sponsor of the category.
Highly Commended: Lottie Rooke-James, Ashford Borough Council.
Our award sponsors
South East Consortium, our awards sponsor, presenting an award.
Southern Housing, our awards sponsor, presenting an award.
Rosherville, our awards sponsor, presenting an award.
Becs Wilcox, KHG Co-chair and the event host giving a vote of thanks to the sponsors
Some members of the Kent Housing Group Events group
Back row (L-R): Rachel Valerio, Nicola Bowen, Sharon Irvine, Becs Wilcox, Helen Miller & Gemma Thompson.
Front row (L-R): Lorraine Gray, Ellie Park, Esme Ervine, Hannah Rourke & Bede Uzoegbo.