Two of southern England’s biggest housing associations agreed to merge last Friday.

The boards of Anglia Housing Group and Circle 33 agreed the deal, which will create one of the UK’s 10 largest associations. The new landlord, provisionally called Anglia Circle 33, will have a turnover of more than £115m, build about 2000 homes a year and own or manage about 32,000 homes. The merger could be completed in nine months.

Anglia chief executive Mark Rogers confirmed there would be no redundancies for at least two years.

He said: “In two years there may be more new opportunities for people to grow into. We have taken the view that our staff are valuable.”

The new association’s chief will be chosen in the next few months.

The main reasons for the merger were to boost development capacity, customer services and provide opportunities for staff, Rogers said.

The new organisation will have strong footholds in the M11 growth corridor and in the Thames Gateway.

The merger is one of a wave taking place in the M11 growth area (HT 17 September, page 9).

Source

Housing Today