Optivo and Southern Housing announce executive team for merged business

Optivo and Southern Housing Group have announced seven executives to lead their combined forces. The two housing associations announced plans to merge earlier this year. The proposed merger would create a new 77,000-home social landlord with the name Southern Housing.  The following designate executive team has been named to lead the merged entity: Paul Hackett – chief executive (pictured). He was previously chief executive of Optivo. Alan Townshend – deputy chief executive. He was previously group chief executive of Southern Housing Group. Sarah Smith – chief financial officer. She was previously chief financial officer of Optivo. Jane Porter – chief operating officer. She was previously chief operating officer of Optivo. Richard White – executive director of development and sales. He was previously executive director of development and sales at Optivo. Yvette Carter – executive director of contract services. She was previously  group director of property services at Southern Housing Group. Jenny Poore – executive director of people and culture. She was previously group director of people and communication at Southern Housing Group. Optivo and Southern Housing Group plan to complete the merger by December. To send feedback, e-mail akanksha.soni@eg.co.uk or tweet @EGPropertyNews