Major care and support providers for older people enter merger talks

News28.03.2311.10 AM by James Wilmore

Housing 21 has revealed that it is exploring a merger with fellow older people’s housing specialist The ExtraCare Charitable Trust (ECCT).

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Housing 21 has revealed it is exploring a merger with fellow older people’s housing specialist The ExtraCare Charitable Trust #UKhousing

The groups said this morning that their boards have “agreed to enter into discussions with a view to forming a legal partnership”.

Birmingham-based Housing 21, which provides extra-care and retirement living accommodation, operates around 22,000 homes across 240 local authority areas.

ECCT, which is based in Coventry, manages 16 retirement villages and four housing schemes for over-55s. In total, the trust has around 4,200 homes.

The organisation also operates a chain of charity shops.

Bruce Moore, chief executive of Housing 21, said: “A merger would allow both organisations to be financially stronger and more resilient, offer better value for money to our residents, have access to a wider shared pool of expertise and ultimately have greater influence in being able to advocate for older people and the services they require now and in the future.”

Mick Laverty, chief executive of ECCT, said the tie-up would “allow us to support better lives for more older people and would make our existing retirement communities more affordable for our current residents”.

If the merger goes ahead, Mr Moore would become chief executive of the combined group. Mr Laverty would remain “engaged to take on strategic projects to support the success of the merger process”, the groups added.

Nick Baldwin, current chair of ECCT, would take the role of chair at Housing 21 from Stephen Hughes, who finishes his term of office later this year.

The groups said that any merger would also be subject to due diligence and “feedback from consultations and engagement with residents, employees, members, funders, regulators and other important stakeholders”.

Earlier this year, Housing 21 appointed a new interim finance boss after the previous permanent incumbent stepped down with immediate effect last September.