New name of Grand Union and Longhurst merger revealed
The two housing associations are set to join together by the end of the year
Grand Union Housing and Longhurst Group have announced their new name once they merge next month.
The respective boards of the housing associations have approved the proposal for both organisations to form one company.
The social landlords will come together formally and legally in December under the new name, Amplius.
Announcing the new name, a statement on Grands Union’s website said “Amplius means ‘to do more’ or ‘go further’ in Latin and that’s exactly what we’re determined to do. We want to be better and do more for our customers while continuing to provide quality affordable homes and services.”
The decision to merge followed the assessment of a detailed business case which set out the proposed benefits of the merger and how both organisations would come together.
The Boards also took time to assess the results of a due diligence exercise and the thoughts and feedback of customers from both organisations, who shared their views during a six-week customer consultation.
Grand Union provide over 13,000 homes across Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Northamptonshire and Hertfordshire.
Longhurst Group own and manage more than 24,000 homes in the Midlands and East of England.
The new organisation – Amplius – will therefore own and manage over 37,000 homes. The announcement continued: “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.”
A Shadow Board and Shadow Executive Team have been appointed and will take on responsibility for the leading new organisation.
Chief Executive of Amplius will be current Longhurst Group CEO, Julie Doyle, while Emma Killick, currently Chair of Grand Union’s Board, will become Chair.
After 25 years with the company, Aileen Evans, the current CEO 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.
Evans will still serve on the board of the Chartered Institute of Housing and volunteer for Furnishing Futures – a charity that creates healing homes for domestic abuse survivors.