North-west housing association announces new chair and deputy

Your Housing Group has appointed Richard Groome as its new chair with long-time A2 Dominion boss Darrell Mercer as his deputy,

Groome, currently deputy chair of the 27,000-home association will become chair on 31 March, replacing Kathy Doran, who is standing down.

Groome has served on the board of the association, which invested £67.2m in the creation of new homes in the year ending March 2021, for five years. Last financial year Your Housing Group built 100 homes and started on site with another 836.

It is planning to deliver 2,315 new, affordable homes by 2025 and in the current financial year expects to complete more than 250 new homes. 

Groome has experience in both the private and public sectors, including various senior roles, such as chief executive of Healthcare Buildings Providers. He has served on the audit and risk, customer services, repairs and integration and improvement committee.

Mercer announced last year that he is standing down as chief executive after 34 years following a bone marrow transplant. He joined the board of Your Housing Group in January and was confirmed as deputy chair this week.

Brian Cronin, chief executive of the housing provider, said he had “no doubt” the new chair would “continue to champion our vision to create more places for people to thrive and to be recognised as a sector leading landlord”.

The incoming chair said: “I am looking forward to the various challenges and opportunities that are ahead as we (the board) continue to play our role in Your Housing Group’s journey to achieve their vision. I am taking over as chair at an interesting time with an important sustainability agenda ahead for the group.”

Doran had been on the board at Your Housing Group, which increased its turnover by £2.9m last financial year, for nine years and was chair for four before retiring. Cronin added: “During her time on the board Kathy has fully supported our vision and we can’t thank her enough.”

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