by Kim Pidgeon | Nov 30, 2024 | News
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.
by Kim Pidgeon | Oct 16, 2024 | News
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.