Midlands-based Bromford and South West-based Merlin are in formal talks to create a partnership which will work with nearly 100,000 customers to achieve more of what they hope for and deliver the largest housing association-led new homes programme throughout Gloucestershire and the Midlands.
The partnership will see the organisations — with nearly 40,000 homes between them, a combined turnover of £250m and strong operating margin — join together to invest £1.5bn in 14,000 new homes over the next decade.
In a joint statement, CEOs Philippa Jones from Bromford and Robert Nettleton from Merlin (pictured above), said: “This is a partnership where each organisation brings expertise that complements the other and service aspirations that fit really well. It brings together two forward thinking housing associations with a shared vision of enabling customers to use great affordable homes as a springboard to achieve more of what they hope for themselves, their families and their communities.
“Both our organisations have ambitious development programmes. Working together these can be combined and expanded to deliver 14,000 new homes in the next decade. This capability and a common passion to offer an exceptional customer experience, will help our combined business grow and deliver more of a difference.”
Over the coming months the organisations will seek feedback and consult customers and stakeholders on the vision for the partnership which includes:
- Unlocking the ability to do more in communities we work in, especially in coaching and empowering our customers to build resilience and take control of their own lives. This partnership will allow us to share expertise to benefit the whole and enable us to reach more customers than we can do alone.
- Expanding our ambitious development programmes to deliver 14,000 new homes in the next decade. This capability makes the aspiration of developing and regenerating new communities possible. Together we will be able to deliver the largest housing association-led development programme in our area of operation.
- Transforming customer experience by developing automated digital services alongside our continued strong focus on local services and personal relationships.
- Enhancing flexible working practices and a culture based on values and behaviours which will attract and retain the best talent, expand apprenticeships and create more graduate opportunities.
