News

08-11-2021

FOR PROFIT REGISTERED PROVIDER NAMED FASTEST GROWING SMALL BUSINESS IN THE NORTH EAST FOR SECOND YEAR RUNNING

For profit registered provider Hellens Residential Limited has been named as the fastest growing ‘small’ company in the North East, as part of the Ward Hadaway Fastest 50 Awards, for the second year in a row.

The 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, as well as coming fourth in the list overall.

In the last 12 months, Hellens Residential has seen its turnover grow by 66.4 per cent 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.

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. Gavin and Kate started the business to make a positive social impact with the cash surpluses generated from the construction, development, and manufacturing businesses within the Hellens 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.

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.

“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 per cent 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.”