‘Visionary’ former Hyde chief Len Bishop dies

Bishop joined Hyde in 1979, roughly a decade after the association’s first tenants moved into converted properties in Lewisham, south-east London. During his time as chief executive, Hyde cemented its reputation as an association committed to catering for affordable housing needs. Today, the association manages 30,977 homes in London and the South-east.

Despite retiring from Hyde in 1994 to focus on his political interests, Bishop remained passionately committed to the cause of social housing. As a board member of Gravesend Churches Housing Association, and helped to reposition the association in preparation to benefit from the development of the Thames Gateway in east London.

Charlie Adams, chief executive of the Hyde Group, said: “There is no question in my mind that Len was one of the outstanding figures of the housing association movement. There are a great many testaments to Len’s vision and abilities but it is the immense spirit and commitment within Hyde which I inherited from him which stands out for me.”