‘We need to be better,’ CEO of social housing trust Peabody says as merger closes

The CEO of London and home counties social housing provider Peabody admitted the association has not been good enough and outlined a plan to improve as its merger with fellow provider Catalyst closed.

Peabody has come under fire in recent years for issues such as neglect, mould and buildings falling into disrepair. Last year, the trust apologised after a tenant’s body was found in her flat two and a half years after her death.

Today, the provider said its merger with Catalyst - announced last year - was complete, and outlined a new strategy going forward. The group said it will prioritise and accelerate planned maintenance as well as retrofittings, and make repairs “easily accessible”.

This strategy, CEO Ian McDermott said, was required because the quality of Peabody’s services had not been up to scratch in the past.

“Today we are setting out our absolute commitment to our residents,” he said. “We know we need to improve and have detailed plans to do so. We need to be better at getting the basics right, get closer to our communities, and continue to invest in safety, services and a sustainable Peabody.

“Our increased scale will help us do that. By combining a new locally focused operating model with better technology and data driven services, we're determined to boost resident satisfaction for the long-term.”

Peabody’s average rent is £122 per week, which is said represents “significant value for residents, taxpayers and government”.

As part of the integration process, Elly Hoult is joining Peabody as chief operating officer from Notting Hill Genesis.

“I will be focused on transforming our services, supporting regional managing directors in their local areas and ensuring that residents are at the heart of every decision we make,” she said. “This means listening to them, learning from them and delivering what they need.”

The post-merger Peabody group will let out 104,000 homes in London and the surrounding area.