Metropolitan has revealed is in talks with Thames Valley Housing over the possibility of both organisations forming a partnership.

Between them, the two organisations own, manage or administer more than 57,000 homes in London, the South East, the East Midlands and the East of England.

Metropolitan said the primary drivers for the proposed partnership are to enable the housing associations to better serve their existing residents, to build more new homes and stronger communities and to achieve greater organisational resilience.

Details plans include;

• improve services for existing residents, including their digital customer service experience

• deliver around 2,000 new homes a year of which approximately 80% will be 'affordable'

• support investment in local communities and services which will help tackle the challenges faced by the most vulnerable – including older people, new migrants, the long-term unemployed and those living in poverty


• become a financially stronger, more resilient and more agile group with greater capacity and commercial acumen to better meet challenges posed by the external environment

• attract the best talent in the sector by offering a wide range of opportunities, in different specialisms and locations, with tailored training and career development

A consultation on the proposed partnership will take place with funders, residents and stakeholders.

Metropolitan Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Geeta Nanda has been appointed CEO designate of the proposed partnership, and Metropolitan Chair Paula Kahn is Chair designate. Thames Valley Housing Chair, Chair Grainia, has been appointed Senior Independent Director designate.

Ms Nanda said: "Metropolitan and Thames Valley Housing are two like-minded organisations with complementary strengths.

"We both have strong track records of investing in communities and are excited by the potential to reach more people and change more lives for the better. Together, we will be stronger and more resilient, with the capacity to do much more."

Grainia Long, Chair of Thames Valley Housing, said: "I am excited by this opportunity to better serve our residents and communities while expanding our capacity to provide housing across a number of tenures and deliver new homes and services as creatively and quickly as possible.

"I believe the proposed partnership will be well placed to respond to the changing and varied needs of its local housing markets with new and innovative solutions."

(LM)