New chairman for Lancashire social housing group as it targets growth

Leyland-based Progress Housing Group has appointed Nigel Wright to the role.

Nigel has been deputy group chair of the housing group since 2017, as well as a member of the group’s development for outright sale subsidiary, Concert Living.

The group said Nigel has more than 20 years board experience in commercial and not-for-profit sectors and brings a wealth of experience to lead Progress Housing Group’s strategic direction.

The group owns and manages almost 11,000 homes, mainly across the North West, and is one of the largest providers of supported living in the country, providing accommodation for people with learning disabilities and/or autism UK-wide.

Over the next five years, the group is investing significantly in developing affordable homes, pledging to build 1,000 new ones and focusing on social rent homes to help people who are least able to find homes on the open market.

Nigel replaces Janet Hale, who has served as group chair for the past nine years. Yasmin Fearon, who has worked for the regulator and Homes England and has 30 years’ experience in the social housing sector, joins as deputy group chair.

Nigel said: “I’m delighted to be selected and I want to thank Janet Hale for her wonderful service as the previous group chair, and for her dedication to the strategic direction of the group over the past nine years.

“From September, it will be a real privilege to become group chair. I have been actively involved on the board for over three years, and I am impressed by the range of work we undertake to improve the lives of thousands of people.

“We have some challenging aspirations and targets for the next few years, and we are determined to do our very best to achieve them and to make a positive difference in people’s lives.”

Jacqui De-Rose, group chief executive said: “We warmly welcome Nigel into his new role as chair of our board. He has already provided the group with his expertise as deputy chair, and I look forward to continuing to work closely with him as he takes up his new role as chair.

“I’d also like to thank Janet for her nine years of wonderful service, support and direction as our previous chair of the board.”