Organisations plan to come together to create new 38,000-home provider in December
The boards of two housing associations have agreed to merge following a six-week consultation with residents.
Longhurst Group and Grand Union Housing Group have agreed to join to create a housing association managing more than 38,000 homes and employing 1,400 staff.
The providers hope to merge into a single entity under a new name in December, creating one of the largest associations operating across the midlands and east of England. The two associations had a combined turnover of around £260m in 2023/24 and completed 875 homes.
Julie Doyle, current Longhurst Group boss, will become chief executive of the new combined group, while Emma Killick, chair of Grand Union, will become chair.
Aileen Evans, chief executive of Grand Union, will stand down once the merger is completed after 25 years with the association, including more than a decade as chief executive.
In a joint statement the organisations said: “By joining together, both organisations will unlock significant potential to invest even more in their existing homes and communities, while building more much needed affordable homes and improving the services their customers receive.”
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The associations said 47% of all feedback from residents was positive or very positive with 20% negative or very negative. They received around 2,000 responses during the resident consultation.
Longhurst Group, which is based in Rushden, Northamptonshire, reported a turnover of £172m in 2022/23. It completed 611 homes last year and invested £28.2m in existing stock. It has previously announced plans to build 2,776 homes over five years.
Grand Union Housing Group has its head office in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire. It reported turnover of £95m in 2023/24 and completed 264 homes, while spending £21m on home improvements and repairs.
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