International accountancy practice Mazars has been appointed internal auditor for a major housing group based across the North of England.
Lee Cartwright, partner and national head of internal audit services for the housing sector, said it represented “a very significant client win”.
Together Housing Group manages more than 35,000 homes and employs over 1,250 staff. It has a turnover of more than £55 million.
Mr Cartwright said: “Together is one of the largest providers of affordable housing in the North of England, providing housing and related services to 50,000 people.
“We are thrilled to have won the contract. We are delighted to be working with such a new and vibrant organisation at such an exciting time in the Group’s development.
“Together are delivering much needed homes at a time when the country has a national shortage.”
Established in April 2011 and with its registered office in Halifax, Together Housing Group provides affordable homes for rent across the North of England. The Group is made upof three established housing bodies – Trans-Pennine Housing; Chevin Housing; and Prospect Homes.
In total the Group consists of six companies, each run by a voluntary board made up of tenants, council representatives and independent experts. Housing Pendle based in East Lancashire was formed in October 2006 following a stock transfer from Pendle Borough Council.
Twin Valley Homes is a not-for-profit housing association formed in March 2001 and is the largest registered social landlord in the borough of Blackburn with Darwen in Lancashire.
Pennine Housing 2000 is Calderdale’s largest social landlord, a not-for-profit company set up in March 2001 to take over ownership and management of the council’s rented housing stock.
Green Vale Homes was formed in March 2006 in the wake of a transfer of homes from Rossendale Council.
Chevin Housing Association goes back to 1998 and is a charitable association owning and manging rented homes spread across 23 local authorities. Harewood Housing Society is the oldest, established in 1970. It provides a management and financial service to around 1,650 private sector leaseholders.
All retain their separate identity, but report into the new group.
Together Housing Group Director of Corporate Services, George Paterson, said: “We are extremely pleased to be working with Mazars.
“We know them well from their internal audit role at Chevin Housing Group and we are looking forward to working in partnership with Mazars across the wider group.
“We are confident that the partnership will help us deliver excellent services to our customers and provide real opportunities for driving even greater efficiencies across the Together Group.”