Alpha Living director of finance to retire this year

He joined Alpha Living in February 2023, first as interim head of finance and resources, before taking up the position of director of finance and resources in May that year.

Mr Watmough started his housing career as a housing management accountant at Northern Counties Housing Association, after which he became director of resources at Warrington Housing Association and then director of finance at Arawak Walton Housing Association.

He also spent time at the Regulator of Social Housing as strategic implementation manager.

Mr Watmough has held several board positions, including chair of property surveying consultancy Pennington Choices, audit committee member for Salix Homes and board member for Community Gateway Housing Association.

He said: “After 36 years of working for housing associations, charities and in the commercial sector, culminating in two-and-a-half years working for the life-changing, amazing Alpha Living, I’ve decided to retire from full-time work in the summer.

“It’s been my privilege to meet some fabulous people over the course of my career. I’m hoping that retirement gives me the opportunity to see more of them and also to meet new people who, like me, want to see a better world for everyone.”

Steve Eaves, chair of Alpha Living, said: “Darren has been amazing to work with and will be really missed. This is a very exciting time for Alpha, which is in a great place with a fantastic future. We want to continue to grow and to offer brilliant services.

“With Darren’s retirement, we are looking for an exceptional director of finance and resources to join our executive team.”

According to its results for 2023-24, Alpha Living grew its surplus from £1.05m in 2022-23 to £1.11m in the last financial year. Turnover climbed over the year by 13.5 per cent to reach £8.9m.