Stockport Homes Group (SHG) is celebrating a major milestone in 2025—its 20th anniversary—as a trusted management company of Stockport’s social housing stock. Over the past two decades, SHG has grown from its origins as a management organisation to become a pivotal force in delivering housing and community services, as well as launching innovative initiatives to support residents.
A recent independent review by Deloitte has solidified SHG’s reputation as a top performer in the sector. Commissioned by Stockport Council, the review evaluated the effectiveness of SHG’s arm’s-length management organisation (ALMO) model amid a challenging landscape of legislative, regulatory, and financial changes. The results were overwhelmingly positive: the ALMO model will be retained, with recommendations to enhance collaboration and efficiency between SHG and the Council.
Deloitte’s findings cited SHG’s high performance, proactive compliance culture, tenant satisfaction, and value-for-money approach as key factors in the decision to continue with the ALMO structure. These achievements reflect the organisation’s commitment to excellence and its collaborative ethos with local partners and the third sector. There are always areas for improvement and SHG remains committed to continually striving to finding way to do things better.
Originally established in 2005 to manage Stockport Council’s housing stock, SHG has evolved to offer a wide range of services, from building new homes and managing in-house contractors to launching a charitable arm that supports residents in times of need. This expansion has helped secure additional income to fund frontline services, ensuring SHG remains a vital resource for Stockport’s communities.
“Stockport Homes has always been more than a housing provider,” said Steve Partridge, Chair of the Board. “Our 20th birthday is a chance to reflect on shared successes, like delivering high-quality services, fostering community collaboration, and building homes for the future.”
The Deloitte review was a rigorous assessment of SHG’s operations, benchmarking performance against other ALMO’s and housing providers. The findings confirmed SHG’s status as a high-performing organisation, with strengths including:
- Strong tenant satisfaction
- Effective use of data to benefit customers.
- Robust scrutiny and assurance processes
- A culture of commitment and passion among colleagues
- A collaborative approach with the Council and partners
These strengths, alongside SHG’s proactive compliance culture, make it a model of excellence in the sector. The review also recommended exploring closer governance arrangements to further align strategies between SHG and Stockport Council, ensuring continued value for money and efficiency.
As Stockport faces increasing demand for housing and financial pressures across public services, SHG’s ability to deliver effectively is more critical than ever. The ALMO model, strengthened by the independent review, provides a foundation for meeting these challenges while continuing to innovate and serve the Borough.
“This independent review reflects the dedication of our colleagues and the strength of our partnership with Stockport Council, as well as listening to our customers, we are always wanting to work collaboratively and proactively with our other key stakeholders, including local Councillors who also represent our customers on the ground. This review has been an opportunity to really focus on the benefits these relationships bring to our overall customer voice, and we will strengthen those relationships further in the coming months. Partridge added. “Together, we’ve built an organisation that not only meets housing needs but also enriches lives. With this renewed endorsement, we’re ready to tackle the challenges ahead and continue delivering for our customers and communities.”
