Newly merged Bromford Flagship LiveWest targeting 50,000 new homes by 2040

Jac Starr, former chair of LiveWest will chair the BLF board, while Robert Nettleton will continue as chief executive officer for the entire group.

Paul Crawford steps down as chief executive of LiveWest Homes Limited and has taken on the role of strategic advisor to support the organisation.

While BFL will become the group parent, Bromford, Flagship and LiveWest will continue as landlords and employers to ensure residents receive “continuity of service and support”.

The new structure also includes Merlin Housing Society Limited, and other existing entities from both organisations.

Robert Nettleton, chief executive officer of the group, said: “Almost three million people are using food banks, more than 170,000 children are living in temporary accommodation, and as a country we’re building fewer than 15,000 social rent homes a year against a need for 90,000.

“It is incumbent upon housing associations to step up and work with government and other key stakeholders to do more, and that’s why this merger makes so much sense.

“By bringing Bromford Flagship and LiveWest together, we’re unlocking an additional £1.5 billion in capacity between now and 2040 – in addition to the £1.9bn we unlocked last year taking us to a total of £3.4 billion in additional capacity.

“That means we can deliver over 50,000 new homes by 2040, including around 7,000 more than would have been possible as Bromford Flagship or LiveWest alone. That’s thousands of families and individuals each year getting the affordable homes they need to build or rebuild their lives and ultimately thrive.”

Merger talks had started last October, following the tie-up between Bromford and Flagship in February.