Merger creates housing provider powerhouse

Longhurst Group and Grand Union Housing Group have officially merged and will now be known as Amplius.

The new organisation operates across the Midlands, East and Southeast of England and owns and manages more than 37,000 homes.

Employing over 1,400 staff, Amplius also provides care and support services and specialist housing and home ownership options.

Julie Doyle, the former Longhurst Group chief executive, will head up Amplius after her counterpart at Grand Union Housing Group, Aileen Evans, chose to step down. Evans will continue to remain active in the housing sector.

Doyle said: “I’m delighted that we’ve completed the merger of two fantastic housing providers and created Amplius and I’m honoured to be leading the organisation.

“I’d like to pay tribute to Aileen and the fantastic work she did at Grand Union and for helping this merger happen. I hope she enjoys her well-deserved retirement.

“The launch of Amplius brings with it fantastic potential for us to achieve even more – building more affordable homes and being a reliable and trusted landlord that delivers the homes and services that our customers need and expect.

“By bringing together the knowledge, experience and skills of hundreds of dedicated colleagues, we’re determined to further enhance our services and I’m really excited to get started.

“The ethos of Amplius is to do more and go further for our customers and we’re driven to have a positive impact on people’s lives and provide good quality affordable homes and services that make a difference.”

Emma Killick, who was chair of Grand Union’s Board, has taken up the same role with Amplius.