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Two Staffordshire housing associations have agreed a merger that will lead to the creation of a new 18,000-home housing association in the area.
Stafford and Rural Homes (SARH) and Housing Plus Group currently manage 6,000 and 12,000 homes respectively across Staffordshire and Shropshire.
The newly merged group has committed to delivering 2,000 homes of mixed tenure, including market sale, by 2023.
Sarah Boden, current chief executive at Housing Plus Group, has been chosen as designate chief executive of the new group while Alison Hadden, current chair at SARH, will become chair designate.
Ms Boden told Inside Housing that no job losses are expected as a result of the merger, while roughly 100 new apprenticeship places will be created in the group and its supply chain within the next five years.
She also said that by creating a larger organisation, it is hoped that the new group will be able to form an "even closer" relationship with Homes England.
The news of the deal being completed comes more than five years after Inside Housing first reported that SARH had entered merger talks with Housing Plus. However, a consultation was carried out at the time, with no deal agreed.
In 2016, Housing Plus then merged with Severnside Housing to become Housing Plus Group.
Ms Boden said it is hoped that the legal merger will take place on 1 October. The newly merged organisation will then enter into a two year integration period.
Ms Hadden said: “This is an exciting joining together of successful, neighbouring housing providers sharing very similar values and ambitions. The experience, skills, resources and energy of the combined group will make a significant difference to the lives of people and communities.”
Karen Armitage, chief executive at SARH, said: “It has been a huge honour to be the chief executive of SARH from the day the company was formed. I have thoroughly enjoyed working with Stafford Borough Council, staff, customers and stakeholders over 13 years to help make Stafford a great place to live, work and grow.
“I wish Sarah Boden, the chief executive of the new group, every success.”
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