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.

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 Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS): "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.

"I have lived my life against the backdrop of leading Stockport's council housing service.

"Now the most recent review has once again found Stockport Homes high performing and VFM [value for money], and we have reached our 20-year anniversary, coinciding with my 40 years in social housing , it felt time to take a break.

"It's a big step for me, and SHG [Stockport Homes Group] but a great opportunity for others to step forward and make a difference, and for me to have more time for the many other things I would like to do. It was wonderfully appropriate to spend the evening of the announcement of my retirement at the Customer Awards, an uplifting event."

Stockport Homes houses in Cheadle Heath (Image - Nub News)

Stockport council leader, Mark Roberts, said: "Helen has played a transformative role in improving housing and community services in Stockport, recognised this summer with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Housing Heroes Awards.

"Under her leadership, Stockport Homes has become one of the highest-performing housing providers in the country: investing in neighbourhoods and helping to create a fairer, more inclusive borough.

"We'd like to thank Helen for her partnership, her commitment to public service, and her dedication to Stockport and its residents.

"We look forward to continuing our close partnership with Stockport Homes Group as it enters its next chapter."

Stockport Homes is responsible for a number of sites across the borough, such as Lancashire Hill in Reddish.

Ms McHale has led the organisation as it faced major pressure from growing demand for affordable homes, especially in recent years.

Stockport currently has around 9,000 people on the housing register, with hundreds of bids for some properties.

Stockport Homes has also faced criticism from some councillors and tenants.

Many of the complaints have focused on the speed of repairs, and issues on its estate such as broken lifts.

Concerns over social housing management in Stockport led to a vote in the council chamber last year calling for a review of the ALMO model.

The report, published earlier this year, found that Stockport Homes was a 'high performing' organisation overall, but highlighted a perceived culture of 'defensiveness' and a 'lack of accountability' at Stockport Homes when dealing with concerns raised by councillors.

It also revealed a 'lack of timely communication during repairs and complaints' which has created 'significant anxiety and uncertainty for tenants' and contributed to 'eroding trust.'

Ms McHale sat down for an interview with the LDRS in February 2024 and revealed some of the huge challenges the borough was facing.

Speaking at the time, she said: "If I was to say to you that on average we get 200 bids per property that is advertised, it means less turnover of our stock, less properties, more people are wanting them, and that leaves a shortfall. It's really difficult.

"We have some very committed staff and we'll continue to do all we can."

She explained in the interview that in January 2024, 2,000 more repairs were finished than the previous year, a sign that efforts were being made to get on top of a backlog of repairs.

Mc McHale's replacement leading Stockport Homes will come in at a time when pressure on social housing providers remains high.

Steve Partridge, chair of the board at Stockport Homes Group, said: "I have had the pleasure of working with Helen for over 25 years, marvelling at the absolute passion, drive, and commitment she has shown towards improving residents' lives and making SHG a great place to work.

"She transformed Stockport's housing services from a 'zero stars' rating to a 'three-star' leading service in under five years, and has sustained this success for 20 years."

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