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

The group also said it will aim to deliver more than 50,000 new homes by 2040, including approximately 7,000 more homes than would have been possible without the merger.

LiveWest chair Jac Starr will chair the BLF board, while Bromford Flagship boss Robert Nettleton will be chief executive of the entire group.

Paul Crawford has stepped down as chief executive of LiveWest and taken on a strategic advisor role to support the new 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, as well as other existing entities from both Bromford and Flagship.

Mr Nettleton said: “Almost three million people are using foodbanks, 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 £1.5bn in capacity between now and 2040 – in addition to the £1.9bn we unlocked last year, taking us to a total of £3.4bn 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 began in October, following the tie-up between Bromford and Flagship in February.