Prominent housing association chief executive dies

Tom Manion, chief executive of Irwell Valley Housing Association, has died suddenly, aged 62.

Manion joined Irwell Valley in 1997 as chief executive, and led the Manchester-based company to treble in size, as the landlord of 7,000 homes. He was previously a trade union activist, a housing officer at Manchester City Council, and worked as a front-bench adviser on the creation of the 1988 Housing Act.

Manion was also former chairman of the Greater Manchester Community Foundation.

He was at his home in Padfield, Derbyshire, when he suffered from a heart attack in the early hours of the morning on Monday 28 March.

John McHale, board chairman, said: “This is devastating news. He was a great intellect and a tremendous colleague and friend. We are all deeply saddened and our thoughts and condolences are with his family.”

Angela Garvin will take over as acting chief executive.