Anchor apologises after regulator finds governance failures

The landlord is England’s largest operator of social housing for older people and the country’s sixth-largest residential care home operator.

In today’s judgement, the Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) said there was “insufficient evidence” that Anchor has “adequately managed and addressed key risks relating to landlord health and safety”.

Anchor has found errors in its health and safety compliance performance reporting and is undertaking a review of its data, the regulator said.

The group’s board has taken steps to mitigate its risks, but its decision-making has “not been consistently supported by accurate data”, the judgement said. 

It added: “Anchor is not consistently identifying when its risks move outside of appetite. Over time this has led to an increase in Anchor’s risk exposure, resulting in a failure to manage risks to tenants’ safety in landlord health and safety compliance.”

To tackle the problems, the regulator said that Anchor is “working positively” with the agency. 

“Anchor has begun to deliver the necessary improvements and is making key appointments, as well as working with external advisors, to help address the issues identified in this regulatory judgement,” the RSH said. 

The landlord currently has a V1 grading for financial viability. 

Kate Dodsworth, chief of regulatory engagement at the RSH, said: “Good governance is critical for delivering good services and keeping tenants safe in their homes. 

“All landlords need to make sure they have strong governance and controls in place in order to have a better grasp of strategic risks.”

In a statement, Ms Holgate said: “We apologise for the shortcomings identified and recognise the concern and distress they may have caused residents and their families.”

She said the group welcomed the “clarity” from the regulator and fully accepted the judgement, and is “committed to delivering the improvements”.

She added: “Our residents’ safety and trust remain paramount, and our focus remains on delivering safe, high-quality homes and services.  

“We are working closely with the regulator, our residents, colleagues and external advisors to ensure that our improvement plan continues at pace, is effective and addresses the issues highlighted by the regulator.”

The regulator’s judgement comes less than a week after Anchor announced that its chief executive, Sarah Jones, had decided to leave the organisation.

An Anchor spokesperson declined to comment on whether Ms Jones departure was related to the regulator’s findings.

The group was formed in 2018 through the merger of Hanover Housing Association and Anchor Trust in 2018.