Great Places Housing Group (GPHG) and Mosscare St Vincent’s Housing Group (MSV) have started discussions to officially join together. Should the plans progress satisfactorily, the intention is to move to full merger by 1 July 2023.
The proposal is that the new organisation will retain the name Great Places and that Charlie Norman, currently Chief Executive at MSV, is Chief Executive designate. Current Great Places CEO, Matt Harrison, is deciding to step down after nine years in the role and over 30 years with Great Places and will leave his role at the point of merger.
“This is a great opportunity to tackle the challenges facing our sector head on, to put more money into the communities we serve and to improve services for our customers.”
Tony Davison, Chair of Great Places
“The shared geography, ambitions and vision of the two organisations make for such a compelling case to join forces and raise the bar further in helping to improve the lives of our many existing and future residents.
“What an exciting time to be involved in either organisation and help shape what the larger group could and should look like as we move forward.”
Gareth Hall, Chair of MSV
“In an increasingly challenging environment, there will be meaningful and significant benefits of creating a larger, more resilient organisation. The new organisation will keep a strong local focus and connection to our communities, put customers at the heart of all we do and value the shared heritage and legacy of MSV and Great Places.
“It has been such an honour to be part of the MSV journey, working with wonderful colleagues, customers, and partners for the last 20 years, and very much in partnership with Great Places in many ways. I have the greatest respect for everything that Matt Harrison and his colleagues have achieved, and I feel so privileged to be given the opportunity to work with everyone to take our new organisation forward with optimism into the future, building on strong foundations.”
Charlie Norman, Chief Executive of MSV
“It has been a privilege to lead this fantastic organisation and the wonderful people who work here, and I will be forever grateful for the opportunity.
“I could not think of a better person than Charlie Norman to lead the new Great Places into a new chapter.”
Matt Harrison, Chief Executive at Great Places Housing Group
Talks are subject to a full customer and colleague consultation, but the Boards of both organisations are confident that the merger will progress as planned.
