Richard Kemp to retire as Plus Dane chairman

Published by Max Salsbury for 24dash.com in Housing and also in Local Government

Richard Kemp CBE has announced that he is to retire as chairman of Neighbourhood investor Plus Dane Group.

The leader of Liverpool’s Liberal Democrats and former deputy chair of the Local Government Association is stepping down to concentrate on his city council and consultancy work.

Kemp once famously quipped that Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government Eric Pickles and House Minister Grant Shapps were the “Laurel and Hardy of the DCLG”.

Of the coalition government’s relationship with those at the frontline of housing, he once said: “Instead of talking to us, they have discussions with shaky think-tanks and 25-year-old policy wonks who have never run anything.”

Cllr Kemp will formally give up the role at group’s annual general meeting in September, by which time the Merseyside and Cheshire housing association will have appointed his successor.

Richard, who became chair 18 months ago, said: "I feel incredibly proud of the work Plus Dane does, not only in the neighbourhoods they serve but in the housing movement as a whole.

"As they continue their fight for fairness and against inequality, I feel the time is right for me to hand over the reins to someone who will bring new perspectives to this vital mission."

In retirement, Cllr Kemp is ending a long association with Plus Dane Group. He is a former chair of Include Neighbourhood Regeneration and stepped aside as chair of Plus Housing Group when it merged with Dane Housing in 2008.

During his time as Plus Dane chair he sought to broaden the group’s political influence and helped secure a £100m contract to manage council housing in Ellesmere Port and Neston.

Plus Dane’s chief executive Ken Perry: "On behalf of the whole organisation I would like to thank Richard for the contribution he has made to Plus Dane Group and the impact his work has had on the housing movement as a whole."