Former regulator Bronwen Rapley oversaw the group’s creation by bringing together five separate housing associations

Onward Homes’ chief executive Bronwen Rapley will retire in Spring 2026 after a decade at the helm. 

bronwen rapley onward homes resized

Bronwen Rapley has been chief executive at Onward since 2016

Rapley joined the housing association, which provides homes across the north-west of England, as chief executive in 2016.

She oversaw the creation of Onward, formerly known as Symphony Housing Group, in 2018, which was the result of a merger between Liverpool Housing Trust, Hyndburn Homes, Peak Valley Housing Association and Ribble Valley Homes.

Following Contour Homes’ amalgamation with Onward in 2021, the group now manages 35,000 properties across Greater Manchester, Cheshire, Merseyside and Lancashire.

>>See also: ‘Enabling people to be their best in a home they love’: Talking growth with Bronwen Rapley

Rapley was previously deputy director of investigation and enforcement for the government’s Homes and Communities Agency when it was the regulator between 2013 and 2016.

Onward said it will start the recruitment process for a new boss shortly, to be overseen by board chair Tim Johnston.

Topics