United House Ltd and Bullock Construction, both major players in the social housing sector, are merging to become part of the newly formed United Living Group, with a joint turnover of £300m.
The remaining part of the United House Group, United House Developments, which undertakes mixed-use regeneration and speculative residential development projects, is being hived off as a separate business.
Ian Burnett, the current chief executive of Bullock Construction, becomes CEO of the new United Living Group. Jeffrey Adams continues as chairman of United House Developments and also as chairman of the London region of the new United Living Group. Rick de Blaby continues as CEO of United House Developments.
Bullock and United House will continue to trade under current arrangements until full integration is completed in April 2015.
Ian Burnett said: “This merger brings together two great companies with a strong pedigree for delivering sustainable social housing solutions across the North, Midlands, Wales and London and the South East. The joining of both organisations creates real opportunity for us to continue delivering the high quality products and excellent customer service we are known for across a much wider market. Also the focussed geographical presence of each business ensures a neat overlap and which allows us to become a truly national business, integrating a strong management team from both companies to offer best practice, improved operating processes and delivering greater value for money.”
Jeffrey Adams said: “United Living Group is in an unrivalled position to provide a nationwide solution to the housing crisis. The need for new, affordable housing has never been greater. Our clients are looking to work with contractors like United Living Group to help unlock assets, deliver more affordable homes and undertake widescale refurbishment of existing rented stock. Between us, we have 110 years’ experience in the social housing field, working with communities to revitalise areas for the long-term.”
United Living Group will operate from Bullock Construction offices in Aldridge, Walsall, West Midlands, and United House offices in Swanley, Kent. United House Developments, currently based in Covent Garden, plans to move to larger premises in London.
United House Developments has ambitious growth plans in the London market where it has a pipeline of 2,000 homes across 12 schemes with a GDV of nearly £1bn.
United Living, the contracting business, will continue to work collaboratively with United House Developments on regeneration projects.
Got a story? Email news@theconstructionindex.co.uk
