Sanctuary and Southern Housing Group announce £1bn merger

Sanctuary and Southern Housing Group have agreed a merger to create the UK’s largest housing association. The two businesses have 130,000 homes and a combined annual turnover of £999m last year. Both boards have entered into due diligence and will review a full merger proposal in the summer. Worcester-based Sanctuary Group was established in 1969, originally named World of Property Housing Trust. The business has grown through a number of company acquisitions and mergers bringing it to 100,000 homes, with 13,500 employees nationwide. Southern Housing Group was founded in 1910 and has a portfolio of 30,000 homes in London and the South East. It employs 1,000 staff and has headquarters in London. To send feedback, e-mail emma.rosser@egi.co.uk or tweet @EmmaARosser or @estatesgazette