After revealing plans for a merger five months ago, Newport housing associations Melin Homes and Newport City Homes (NCH) have appointed Paula Kennedy, the current CEO of Melin Homes, as the group chief executive officer designate.

Following a rigorous assessment procedure, Kennedy was selected for the role, highlighting her commitment to integrating the best aspects of both associations to form the new organization. Expressing gratitude to Ceri Doyle, CEO of Newport City Homes, Kennedy acknowledged her significant contribution to advancing the merger agenda.

While Doyle chose not to apply for the group CEO role due to personal and professional reasons, she remains enthusiastic about the merger’s potential benefits to Wales’ housing sector, customers, employees, and local communities served by both Melin and NCH. The collaboration between Doyle and Kennedy, supported by dedicated board members from both organizations, aims to ensure a successful merger.

To engage stakeholders, a notification letter outlining the merger process will be sent to all customers of Melin and NCH, providing them with the opportunity to specify their preferred services and values for the proposed new entity. Both housing associations emphasize the importance of customers and colleagues in their operations, underscoring their commitment to serving their communities.

This appointment marks a significant step forward in the merger process, signaling the commitment of both organizations to creating a stronger, more unified housing association to better serve the Newport community and beyond.