The Regenda Group, a leading independent North West housing and regeneration organisation managing more than 13,000 homes for rent and sale across the region, has appointed Bill Lovat as its new regional director for customer services, responsible for developing and delivering neighbourhood strategies for Greater Manchester and Cheshire.

Mr Lovat joins Regenda after spending seven years at Blackburn with Darwen Council, where he managed the life-long learning and youth services, helped to establish the children's services department, and worked with the town's culture, leisure and sport services.