Regenda Group gets new chief executive
Dr Michael Birkett has been appointed as the chief executive of The Regenda Group.
He will take up the position in March next year and will succeed interim chief executive David Jepson, who joined Regenda following the retirement of longstanding chief executive Bernard Gallagher during the summer.
Currently chief executive of The Calico Group, a role he took in 2006, Dr Birkett is credited with transforming the organisation from a single social landlord, based in one local authority, to a group of five companies providing a range of services through commercial and not-for-profit businesses across the North West.
John Thomson, Regenda Group chairman, said: "We were impressed at the transformational work he has delivered at Calico and feel his ethos and vision is perfectly aligned to those of the Regenda Group.
"Our aim was to find a candidate of the highest calibre who can successfully steer the group through the challenges the sector is facing while driving the strategic direction of our corporate plan; remaining firmly committed to our social purpose while diversifying our range of services and commercial activities. Mike is the ideal person to take us on that journey and beyond."
Liverpool-born Michael Birkett has held a number of senior housing roles across the North West, including positions at Aspire Housing Group and Liverpool Housing Action Trust.
In addition, he has held a number of key board positions. He is a former board member and chairman of South Liverpool Housing Regeneration and serves as chairman of Lancashire Housing Partnership. He also has a strong academic background. He is a Doctor of Social Science and also holds an MBA.
The Regenda Group was formed in 2002 as a partnership between Liverpool-based Maritime Housing and Templar Housing in Macclesfield. Oldham-based West Pennine Housing Association joined the group in 2003. On 1 April 2005 Wyre Housing Association joined the group. West Pennine had a registered subsidiary, the Limehurst Village Trust, which transferred its engagements to West Pennine in 2009.
The Regenda Group's subsidiaries were amalgamated into Regenda on 1 May 2011.
The group now owns and manages more than 13,000 homes, including sheltered housing. The Regenda Group works across the North West in more than 30 local authority areas ranging from Congleton in the south to Fleetwood in the north, Wirral in the west and Tameside in the east.
