Chief retires after 40 years in social housing

THE chief executive of Stockport Homes - a social housing provider and the borough's biggest landlord - is retiring after 20 years in the post and a career spanning four decades in the sector.

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Helen McHale led a team which established Stockport Homes in 2005, which started out with 225 staff but has grown to three times its original size since then.

It works as an arms length management organisation (ALMO), looking after more than 12,000 properties in the borough on behalf of Stockport council and private landlords, as well as its own new-build homes.

Ms McHale announced her decision to retire yesterday, and in her final few months will lead Stockport Homes through a regulatory inspection in January 2026 before stepping down.

She told the Express: “I came to Stockport in 2001, just after a zero-star housing inspection.

“There was a shared impetus for change, and everyone wanted to improve which created a great energy and team approach.

“The council decided an ALMO was the best way to give the focus and resources to do it so moved me across to be the CEO of Stockport Homes.

“I feel honoured and privileged to have had the chance to make a difference, lead the changes needed and go on to do so much more, moving into development, setting up a charitable arm, Skylight, being a Best Company to work for.

“I have worked with numerous customers, colleagues, councillors and stakeholders - it's been a pleasure.