The long-standing chief executive of the UK’s largest housing association has announced he will retire at the end of the financial year.
Keith Exford, chief executive of Clarion Housing Group, will retire at the end of March after more than 40 years in the social housing sector.
Mr Exford, who was awarded a CBE in 2015, led Affinity Sutton into its merger with Circle Housing at the end of last year, creating the largest housing association in the UK.
He had previously headed up Affinity Sutton for 11 years, and prior to that spent four years at the helm of Affinity Homes before it merged with William Sutton.
Mr Exford has also served as a chief executive at Wandle Housing and Broomleigh Housing Association, both also based in London.
The process of selecting a new chief executive for Clarion is under way and the organisation said an announcement will be made in due course.
Neil Goulden, chair of Clarion, said: “Keith’s impressive career started at the London Borough of Southwark and ultimately saw him create the country’s largest housing association – Clarion.
“Throughout, Keith has used his experience and influence to bring about positive change in the sector and this contribution was recognised through his being awarded a CBE in 2015.”