Optivo and Southern Housing Group merger completed

Optivo and Southern Housing Group have today officially merged to form Southern Housing. Legal completion was achieved following formal registration with the Financial Conduct Authority.

Plans to merge the two not-for-profit housing associations were first announced in March 2022. Over the following months both organisations engaged extensively with residents, colleagues and external partners.  Having considered resident feedback alongside financial due diligence, both boards agreed to proceed with the merger, which is now legally complete having achieved the relevant consents. 

Southern Housing will own around 77,000 homes and serve 167,000 residents across London, the South East, the Midlands and the Isle of Wight. Paul Hackett CBE takes on the role of Chief Executive.   

Paul Hackett CBE, Southern Housing Chief Executive, said: “Our aim is for this merger to be different to those that have gone before. Yes, we’ll be a larger organisation with 77,000 homes. But – by virtue of our similar geographies – we’ll also become more local.  Residents will be at the heart of the new association”.