Housing providers Abri Group and Silva Homes are pleased to confirm their new partnership, following the approval of a final business case presented to the boards of both organisations on 7 September. As a result, Abri Group will own and manage 50,000 homes and assets serving 114,000 customers across the south of England. Formal completion is expected to take place in early October 2023 when Silva Homes will become a subsidiary of Abri Group.
Gary Orr, Abri Group Chief Executive, said:
“I’m delighted to confirm that Silva Homes is joining Abri Group. By combining our skills and resources and organising the delivery of our services on a regional basis, we’ll be an even stronger, more resilient organisation that can invest more in our existing homes and build more new ones, while being truly connected to our customers and communities.”
As a larger, financially stronger and more resilient organisation, a new regional approach will be introduced, splitting the group’s operating area into three: south west, south and south east. Silva will form part of the south east region. Each region will have its own local governance and leadership, including a regional managing director and a regional board. Dasos Christou has been appointed as Regional Managing Director for the south east region following his role as Executive Director (Customer Relations) at Silva Homes. The south east’s regional model will act as a pathfinder ahead of the group extending this approach across its geography.
Alan Ward, Silva’s Chief Executive will join Abri’s executive team as Chief Governance and Strategic Growth Officer, and Graeme Stanley, Silva's current Chair of the Board, will step down after nine years with the organisation.
On the partnership Alan Ward said:
“I’m delighted to have helped Silva create a partnership with Abri. I look forward to the benefits this will bring our customers and colleagues. The last few months of discussions have been vital to ensuring Abri was the right fit to help achieve Silva’s ambitions.
“Both organisations are already strong, but by combining our skills and resources, and adopting a regional approach, we’ll be even stronger, with an improved offer for customers. I’m pleased that Silva’s Dasos Christou will be at the helm of the south east region, especially given his knowledge and experience of Silva’s business and the south east area.”
The presentation of the partnership’s final business case followed a significant period of due diligence, and a customer consultation.
Wayne Morris, Group Chair of Abri, said:
“Since our initial announcement earlier this year, Abri and Silva have worked closely with each other and key stakeholders to ensure the partnership would provide a better service for our customers. I’m pleased that both boards could see the value in these organisations joining forces and approved the final business case. I look forward to welcoming Silva to the Abri Group.”
Graeme Stanley, Silva’s Chair of the Board, said:
“I’m delighted to have been so heavily involved in making this partnership happen. Since we announced discussions earlier this year, the Silva board has worked closely with Abri, our stakeholders, and consulted with our customers to ensure the partnership would be the right decision. It’s been a pleasure to have served as Chair of the Board for Silva Homes, I’m proud of everything we have achieved for our customers. I know that through this new partnership, we’ll deliver even more for our customers and communities.”