19 February 2010
New West Mercia Housing Group chief executive designate
Leading west midlands housing association West Mercia Housing Group, the parent organisation of Nexus Housing, which owns and manages approximately 2,700 homes across Worcestershire, has announced the appointment of its new group chief executive designate.
Pat Brandum, who is presently deputy chief executive, will take over as chief executive in July, following the departure of current chief executive and president of the Chartered Institute of Housing, Howard Farrand.
Pat takes up the designate position with immediate effect and will work together with Howard until he leaves in the summer.
West Mercia Housing Group manages approximately 23,500 homes across Coventry, Birmingham, Herefordshire, Worcestershire and the west midlands. It comprises Harden Housing, Nexus Housing and Kemble Housing. Whitefriars Housing Group joined the group in 2008.
In her new position, Pat will provide particular focus on improving neighbourhoods and creating places where people are proud to live and work.
“I’m indebted to Howard for his role in creating an organisation that has proved to be innovative and forward-thinking,“ she said.
“I plan to build on this solid foundation by working closely with our partners to allow us to focus ever more on making a difference to our customers’ lives. We will continue to provide quality new affordable homes, but I’m committed to ensuring that our customers get more from us than a roof over their heads. The chance to improve people’s lives is what led me into a career in housing and my new role gives me the opportunity to make a positive difference for residents across the west midlands region.”
Roger Griffiths, group chairman of West Mercia Housing Group, added: “Howard has been an inspirational chief executive. He led Whitefriars from its inception to become a much admired regional player with sought after specialist expertise and ultimately into partnership with West Mercia.
“I am delighted, however, that we can pass the organisation’s executive leadership on to Pat, who is a highly-respected professional and is committed to ensuring we deliver excellent services to the communities in which we work.
“West Mercia Housing Group has already established an excellent reputation, and I am confident that Pat will secure and extend our legacy.”
Ends
Notes to Editors:
West Mercia Housing Group, based in Bromsgrove, manages approximately 23,500 homes across the West Midlands, Herefordshire and Worcestershire.
The group is structured to facilitate local accountability and the provision of high quality local services.
Founded in 1998, the group consists of Whitefriars Housing Group, Harden Housing Association, Nexus Housing, Kemble Housing and Herefordshire Supported Housing for Young People Project (SHYPP).
West Mercia Housing Group is a development partner with the Homes and Communities Agency. It is the lead member of the Spectrum Development Partnership that consists of Advance Housing Association, Bromsgrove District Housing Trust, Central Borders Housing Group, Heantun Housing Association, Herefordshire Housing, Nehemiah UCHA, Stafford and Rural Homes, Severnside Housing and Solihull Community Housing.
For further information please contact Val Hunt or Nikki Cheung, at The Bridge Group, on 024 7656 0440, or
v.hunt@bridge-group.co.uk