Your Housing Group leadership shakeup as CEO retires

Deputy chief executive Jacque Allen will act as interim chief executive while Your Housing Group begins a formal search for Brian Cronin’s replacement.

Cronin has been with the housing association since its inception in 2012.

Prior to leading YHG, Cronin was the chief executive of Grosvenor Housing Association, which later merged with Arena Housing Association and, eventually, with Harvest Housing Group to create YHG in April 2012.

Under his leadership, YHG has grown to manage approximately 26,000 homes and generate £133m in social value. The housing association operates throughout the North West, as well as the Midlands and Yorkshire. It has ambitions to build a thousand homes a year.

This year alone YHG has secured a site in Bolton that has approval for 58 apartments and submitted plans for a 716-home neighbourhood at the former Jacksons Brickworks site in Newton Heath.

“It has been a long and exciting journey, but now I feel it is the right time to hand the reigns to someone else who will take YHG to the next level,” Cronin said. “I would like to thank colleagues, past and present, involved customers, partners and of course the board for all their support during my time as CEO.”

Richard Groome, group chair of YHG, praised Cronin’s leadership.

“Brian has been a great ambassador for YHG, bringing innovation, commerciality, and genuine care for our staff and customers,” Groome said.

He also commended Allen for stepping in as interim chief executive. Allen has more than 29 years of experience working in the social housing sector. She was promoted to deputy chief executive last year from her previous position as chief operating officer.

“Jacque has made a substantial contribution to YHG already, is highly regarded in the sector and a natural choice to take on this role,” Groome said.