Garry King has announced he is to step down as the CEO of Two Rivers Housing after 20 years at the helm.
Garry, who has worked in the social housing sector for 36 years, confirmed he is to move on from the role at the start of 2024.
Two Rivers Housing says Gary has been “instrumental” over the years, especially during the large-scale voluntary transfer of more than 3,600 homes from the Forest of Dean District Council to the newly formed Forest of Dean Housing in 2003.
The group has maintained the top regulatory ratings of G1/V1 from the Regulator of Social Housing for the last 19 years.
In 2006, Forest of Dean Housing became Two Rivers Housing, a move which brought about a £50m investment in its housing stock.
In 2013, the organisation developed its own internal repairs company, Centigen, which includes the estate agency TwoCan.
Two Rivers Housing also has an in-house development team, through which it aims to build 1,000 new affordable homes by 2028.
Over the last 20 years, the group has invested almost £100m in improving its housing stock and, in 2020, secured a private investment of £130m to support future investment in new and existing properties.
More recently, the group secured funding from the government’s Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund to deliver a full retrofit pilot project in Blakeney.
Since then, the group has received additional government funding and started retrofit projects in a number of other communities, with more planned for 2023 and 2024.
Today, the Two Rivers Housing provides more than 4,400 homes across seven local authority areas in Gloucestershire and the surrounding counties.
‘Leaving us in a great position’
Commenting on Garry’s decision to step down as chief executive, chair of the Two Rivers Housing group board Yvonne Leishman said: “Garry has been at the heart of our organisation from the very beginning, and we are incredibly grateful for everything he has done and achieved during this time.
“His leadership over the last 20 years has seen the group go from strength to strength and he has built an organisation that has remained focussed on delivering for its tenants and improving the availability of affordable housing in our communities.
“He is leaving us in a great position to continue the work he started in 2003 and, as we enter a new chapter in the history of our organisation, we are well placed to continue to ensure that families across Gloucestershire and the surrounding area have warm, safe, affordable homes.”
Garry will remain as head of Two Rivers Housing till January 2024.
The board will begin the search for his replacement this month.
Image: Gary King, outgoing CEO, Two Rivers Housing
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