Three North-west housing associations have merged.
County Palatine, Family and Beech housing associations have joined forces to form Adactus Housing Group, which collectively owns and manages 6000 homes.

Within this merger, a smaller merger will also take place: Beech, which specialises in shared ownership, will absorb Palatine Home Ownership – a subsidiary of County Palatine – bringing Beech's portfolio to 600 homes.

Beech, County Palatine and Family will continue as separate companies, with Adactus as parent.

County Palatine chief executive Paul Lees has been appointed group chief executive. Family chief executive Brian Leicester will be group secretary. There will be no job cuts as a result of the merger.

Adactus was registered with the Housing Corporation last month and officially launched this week.