Northamptonshire housing associations Grand Union and Longhurst Group agree to merge
Grand Union Housing Group and Longhurst Group have agreed to merge after their boards unanimously agreed to the proposal.
The new organisation will own and manage more than 37,000 homes and employ more than 1,400 colleagues across the Midlands and east of England. This will make it one of the largest housing associations in the region.
Chief executive of the new organisation will be current Longhurst Group chief executive, Julie Doyle, while Emma Killick, currently chairman of Grand Union’s Board, will become chairman.
After 25 years with the company, Aileen Evans will step down from Grand Union once the merger is completed in December under a new name and brand.
Emma Killick, chairman of Grand Union, said: “It’s a real privilege to take on the role of chair as we bring these fantastic organisations together.
“Our new organisation will have significant potential to make a positive difference to thousands of people’s lives across the regions we serve, improving the homes and services we provide and building more homes.
“I’m really looking forward to working more closely with Julie Doyle. We share the same drive and passion to improve the lives of people who rely upon us the most and her philosophy and her values align so closely with those of Grand Union. Bringing the two organisations together really does seem like the perfect fit and we’ll be in extremely safe hands with Julie at the helm.”
Julie Doyle, chief executive of Longhurst Group, said: “I’m delighted to have been appointed chief executive of the new organisation. A significant amount of work has already taken place and I can’t wait to formally bring the two organisations together in December.
“I’m aware I have some very big boots to fill. I’m proud to class Aileen as a friend and she’s someone I have huge respect and admiration for. I’m confident that the new organisation will build on these principles to ensure we’re able to do even more for our customers, the communities we serve and our colleagues.
“I’m looking forward to working with Emma and the rest of the board, and senior leadership team, to bring both organisations together and ensure we have the plans in place to realise our objectives.
“Both organisations have acknowledged that we haven’t got everything right and there are improvements we need to make, but the opportunity to merge brings with it fantastic potential for us to achieve even more, building more affordable homes and being a reliable and trusted landlord that delivers the homes and services that our customers need and expect.”
By joining together, both organisations will unlock ‘significant potential’ to invest in their existing affordable homes and ‘improving’ the services their customers receive.
A six-week consultation saw just under 2,000 customers provide feedback.
In total, 47 per cent of all feedback from customers of both organisations was ‘positive or very positive’, with only 20 per cent ‘negative or very negative’.
A shadow board and shadow executive team have been appointed and will take on responsibility for the leading new organisation.
Aileen said: “Stepping down from Grand Union is the hardest decision I’ve ever made. It’s a bit of a cliché, but it genuinely has been a privilege to lead Grand Union over the last seven years and I’m really proud of what we’ve achieved in my time as chief executive.”
Grand Union Housing Group provide more than 13,000 homes for more than 29,000 people across Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Northamptonshire and Hertfordshire. They have a £92 million turnover with almost 400 staff. They plan to build 900 more new homes over the next five years. Longhurst Group manages more than 24,000 homes across the Midlands and East of England, with offices in Rushden as well as Boston, Lincoln and Peterborough.
Employing about 1,000 people, the group was formed in 2017 from Axiom Housing, Friendship Care & Housing, Longhurst & Havelok Homes and Spire Homes.