New 77,000-home landlord formed following merger

Optivo and Southern Housing Group has officially merged to form Southern Housing following formal registration with the Financial Conduct Authority.

Plans to merge the two not-for-profit housing associations were first announced in March 2022. Since then, the firm says it has worked to listen to more than 2,000 residents alongside colleagues and external partners.

Southern Housing will now own around 77,000 homes and serve 167,000 residents across London, the South East, the Midlands and the Isle of Wight.

Sir Peter Dixon – until now chair of Optivo’s board – becomes the Chair for the new organisation, while Janet Collier – now former chair of Southern Housing Group’s
audit and risk committee – becomes the Vice-Chair. Paul Hackett CBE takes on the role of Chief Executive.

Paul Hackett CBE, Southern Housing Chief Executive, said: “Consolidating our stock, colleagues and services means we’ll deepen ties in our key communities. Our denser footprint also means we’ll be a bigger, more strategic presence in more local authorities.

“We’ll use that status to increase our social impact, whether that be developing new homes for those in housing need or investing in the health, wealth and wellbeing of our residents.

“One of the motivations behind the merger was to become more financially resilient in an increasingly challenging economic environment. The recent economic downturn has only strengthened my resolve to bring the two organisations together.

“With improved financial resilience, we’ll be better equipped to improve customer services, invest in our existing homes and continue to supply much-needed new affordable housing.”

Sir Peter Dixon, Chair of Southern Housing’s board, said: “Our residents are at the sharp end of the cost-of-living crisis. We’ll use our improved financial resilience to enhance services at a time when many will be seeking to make cutbacks.

“That starts with getting the basics right, most of all repairs, but it will also mean increasing investment in digital services to modernise and streamline how we interact with residents. I’m looking forward to working alongside residents and colleagues to make this merger a resounding success”.