Two well known social landlords in the north-east’s housing sector are coming together under a new name and look.

Aberdeenshire Housing Partnership (AHP) and Moray Housing Partnership (MHP) will now operate under the banner of the newly formed Osprey Group, in a move that will realise efficiencies of over £50,000 in year one alone.

The two organisations were already part of the same group, but operated separately. The consolidation will immediately lead to savings in IT, governance, housing provision and employer compliance.

Osprey Group chief executive, Colin Hawkins, said: “Our tenants association operate an award winning scrutiny panel and one of the topics it looked at was the corporate governance of both AHP and MHP. That kick started the process of consolidating our activities and bringing them together under a new single identity.

“The financial argument for doing so was very strong and in particular we will make considerable savings from being able to access professional fees as one group in relation to new build development support and ongoing property improvement for existing homes.”

The new look was officially unveiled at a ceremony at the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre in front of an audience of key stakeholders.

AHP will now be known as Osprey Housing, MHP as Osprey Housing Moray and both will remain as discrete and separately registered social landlords. The Group’s commercial arm will operate as Osprey Initiatives.

The move has been welcomed by tenants and Bill Chapman, chairman of the Osprey Tenants and Residents Association (OTRA), said: “We believe coming together under one name is a logical, practical and cost effective thing to do. We were instrumental in bringing forward ideas about how AHP and MHP could work more effectively by working together, whilst maintaining the excellent service delivery we enjoy.”

The Osprey Group currently owns and manages over 1500 homes across the north-east.