A HOUSING Association has taken on a new head of corporate services.

West Mercia Housing Group, which has its corporate headquarters in Bromsgrove, has taken on Angus Groom, formerly business development director for a major UK contractor.

Mr Groom, aged 45, will have responsibility for providing information technology, personnel, communications and marketing support services.

His move to the social housing sector comes after 17 years with Tarmac and then Carillion Housing, where he was business development director.

"West Mercia has a very good reputation in the social housing market and I am delighted to be joining the group," he said.

West Mercia Housing Group was formed in 1998 and is one of the West Midlands' leading affordable housing providers, supporting the management of almost 5,000 rented properties in the region.