Houses4Homes plans for summer AIM float

Cheshire-based social housing start-up Houses4Homes has appointed a finance and operations director as it prepares to float as a real estate investment trust later this year.

Barry Ludlow was formerly a director at Taylor Wimpey North West and Miller Homes.

Houses4Homes, headed by Phil Shanks, aims to provide capital to local authorities, registered housing providers, developers and house builders in the social housing market.
Shanks said: "As we begin to deliver on our promise to support local authorities and registered housing providers, it is essential to ensure proper financial controls are in place, and I'm delighted to have someone of Barry's experience on the team."

He added: "We have a number of shovel-ready developments and portfolio transfers which will require careful management once they are transferred into the H4H REIT. Barry is an excellent addition to the H4H management team. His knowledge of and understanding of social housing provision is second to none."

Shanks said the REIT flotation on the Alternative Investment Market of the London Stock Exchange would take place "no later than August" and was already running a year behind due to issues with securing the correct tax advice.