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Major landlords complete final stage of mega-merger
Peabody and Catalyst have completed the final stage of their merger, creating one of country’s largest housing associations with over 104,000 homes.
The completion of the mega-merger means Peabody will manage 220,000 residents and operate in 107 local authority areas across London and the Home Counties.
As part of the initial deal announced in April last year, Catalyst will become a subsidiary of Peabody.
Now they have merged into a single organisation, Peabody has published a new group strategy to set out its priorities.
The plan aims to create a new regional structure, with more locally focused teams and a commitment to deliver an enhanced, easily accessible responsive repairs service.
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The landlord said investment in maintenance is being prioritised and accelerated, alongside retrofit projects to make thousands of homes more energy efficient over the next three years.
The organisation will also set up an energy advice service for residents, food pantry networks and partnerships with food banks and children’s community partnerships for families.
In addition, a new Peabody Academy will offer apprenticeships and other learning opportunities.
Ian McDermott, chief executive of Peabody, said: “We know we need to improve and have detailed plans to do so. I have been closely involved in the Better Social Housing Review and the priorities in our refreshed group strategy are closely aligned with this.
“We need to be better at getting the basics right, get closer to our communities, and continue to invest in safety, services and a sustainable Peabody. Our increased scale will help us do that.”
At the end of last month, Peabody agreed to meet with a Liberal Democrat MP after an early day motion was raised in parliament that highlighted concern with the standard of service the landlord is providing.
Elly Hoult, chief operating officer at Peabody, said the merged organisation will target “new ways of working [which] will allow us to foster a truly people-first culture”.
She added: “I will be focused on transforming our services, supporting regional managing directors in their local areas and ensuring that residents are at the heart of every decision we make. This means listening to them, learning from them and delivering what they need.”
