A LEADING figure with a Keighley housing group is in the running for a top award.

Brazil-born Carolina Padovezi de Oliveira is a finalist in the Inspirational Colleague of the Year category of the Housing Heroes Awards.

She joined Manningham Housing Association – which manages more than 1,400 homes for over 6,000 residents in Keighley and Bradford – as an administrative assistant to the executive team, and within four years had been promoted to her current role of corporate project manager.

Carolina – whose remit covers all aspects of the group's work including recruitment, training, IT and communications – has become a national speaker on digital innovation, specialising in artificial intelligence.

And she leads on equality, diversity and inclusion. Her work paved the way for the group to become the world's first housing association to achieve the global Standard for Diversity and Inclusion in HR Management.

Carolina said she was "deeply honoured" to be nominated for the award.

"It is not only a personal accolade but a testament to our collective efforts to drive positive change within the community," she added.

"I share this recognition with my exceptional team.

"Together, we are dedicated to fostering an environment where inspiration and collaboration lead the way."

Tribute is paid by the association's chief executive, Lee Bloomfield.

He says: "Carolina’s achievement in being shortlisted for this prestigious national award provides the wider Manningham Housing Association family with the opportunity to celebrate her contribution and showcase her achievements to an audience far beyond our locality.

"She is incredibly modest and never acknowledges the enormous impact she makes.

"Her dynamic work on behalf of the organisation, our tenants, stakeholders and fellow staff members is always fully focused on delivering positive results for them and never about gaining recognition or praise for herself.

"We wish her every success at the awards ceremony."

Ulfat Hussain, the association's deputy chief executive and director of operations, says: "Carolina exemplifies the true spirit of a 'housing hero'.

"Through her visionary leadership, our small housing association has made remarkable progress in implementing artificial intelligence and digitisation, revolutionising our tenant services and operational efficiency.

"Carolina's relentless dedication and pioneering efforts have shattered barriers, breaking down resistance and fostering a culture of embracing technological innovation."

Award winners will be announced on June 24.