A SOCIAL housing group has been created with Herefordshire Housing and Shropshire Housing Group joining together as equal partners.

Connexus will bring together a number of subsidiary brands under the group umbrella, however on a day to day basis tenants should see little change with the individual brands including Herefordshire Housing Limited keeping their existing names and identity.

Some key ambitions for Connexus include increased provision of housing for sale and market rent alongside a programme of shared ownership and affordable rented accommodation. The organisation will be the largest developer in the Marches with plans for some 1,458 homes up until 2023.

Connexus has more than 600 colleagues working across Herefordshire, Shropshire, Gloucestershire and Worcestershire.

Peter Brown the Chief Executive of Herefordshire Housing will take on that role within Connexus, while Jake Berriman, Chief Executive of Shropshire Housing Group becomes Deputy Chief Executive.

Mr Brown said: "Connexus will bring together the resources, energy and ambition of two successful housing groups, while our frontline services will continue to be delivered by the organisations that our individual customers have come to know and trust.

"Connexus was chosen based on the group’s three core values; number one supporting and connecting people, number two creating homes and communities with a sense of belonging and three forging partnerships with like-minded organisations who share the groups aims.

"The new organisation’s core responsibility will be managing the 10,000 homes, in addition, it offers care and support services through Independence Trust, repairs and maintenance through Total Response Ltd and development opportunities through Floreat Homes."

For more information on the ambitions of Connexus visit connexus-group.co.uk or @weareconnexus on Twitter.