Riverside - Final piece of the jigsaw

1 April 2010

Housing association Riverside has amalgamated with its sheltered and supported specialist ECHG, after tenants gave plans the green light. After overwhelming support from 90% of tenants and backing from the relevant authorities, the amalgamation went ahead on 31 March 2010 and ECHG is now known as Riverside ECHG. This is the second stage of a process started last April when other areas of the business joined together. The result is an organisation with the strengths of a national player but the personal touch of a local provider.

Deborah Shackleton, Chief Executive of Riverside, said: “Established in 1928 as Liverpool Improved Houses, Riverside started out with just 15 houses in Liverpool. We now manage more than 50,000 homes from Carlisle to Kent.

“As our structure evolved and we continued to grow, it became apparent that there were replicated activities carried out by the various management structures, which not only wasted resources but distracted from the delivery of core services to tenants and residents.

“The idea behind the reorganisation is to cut red tape and make savings which will allow us to invest more time and money into providing more new homes and improving local services.

“Although tenants will see a new name and a new logo, there will be no change in the services they receive. The same staff at the same schemes will be delivering the same services. ECHG’s board remains to provide familiar faces and to ensure ECHG stays true to its values.”