MERGERS: Grand Union and Longhurst Group, Housing Plus Group and Wrekin Housing Group
Housing associations Grand Union and Longhurst Group are set to merge.
The boards of both not-for-profit organisations have unanimously agreed to the proposal and signed off a detailed business case.
The aim is for Grand Union Housing Group and Longhurst Group to come together formally and legally in December under a new name and brand.
Grand Union provide over 13,000 homes for more than 29,000 people across Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Northamptonshire and Hertfordshire.
The Longhurst Group is of the largest housing groups in the Midlands and East of England, owning and managing more than 25,000 homes.
Together the new organisation will own and manage over 37,000 homes and employ over 1,400 colleagues, making it one of the largest housing associations in the region.
The merger will allow the housing associations to invest further in their existing homes and communities, while building more affordable homes and improving the services their customers receive.
The agreement follows a consultation with their customers about the proposal, which saw just under 2,000 people provide feedback.
A shadow board and shadow executive team have been appointed and will take on responsibility for leading the new organisation with current Longhurst Group Chief Executive, Julie Doyle becoming CEO of the new organisation. Emma Killick, currently Chair of Grand Union’s Board, will become Chair.
After 25 years with the company, Aileen Evans, the current Chief Executive of Grand Union, decided not to put herself forward for a role with the new organisation and will step down from Grand Union once the merger is completed.
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Merger: Housing Plus Group and Wrekin Housing Group
The formal merger of Housing Plus Group and The Wrekin Housing Groups is expected to take place in January 2025 following the completion of legal and regulatory requirements.
At that time The Wrekin Housing Group will become part of the new Housing Plus Group.
The Wrekin Housing Group provides over 13,000 homes for affordable rent and low cost home ownership across Shropshire, Staffordshire and Telford & Wrekin.
The newly-merged organisation will be one of the largest housing associations in the West Midlands with 34,000 homes.
Wayne Gethings will lead the new organisation as Chief Executive Designate of the new Housing Plus Group.
Wayne will work alongside Catherine Dass who has been appointed the Chair Designate and Debbie Griffiths who will be the Senior Independent Director and Vice Chair.
Catherine is currently a board member at Housing Plus Group and Debbie is a Wrekin board member.
After 38 years working in the housing sector, Sarah Boden, Chief Executive at Housing Plus Group has made the decision to retire.
The merger comes after customer and employee consultation with a total of 3,549 Housing Plus Group and Wrekin customers responding to a consultation. Residents of both Housing Plus Group and Wrekin see repairs as a key priority for the merged organisation, along with improvements to their homes, building new homes and feeling safe in their homes.
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