Dr. Tom Manion, chief executive Irwell Valley Housing Association, has died suddenly over the Easter weekend.

Dr Manion, 62, died at his home in Padfield, Derbyshire, in the early hours of Easter Monday.

In a statement published yesterday morning, the landlord said: “It is with deep sadness that we announce the sudden death early yesterday morning of Dr Tom Manion, our chief executive officer. Our thoughts and condolences are with his family.”

Tom joined Irwell Valley in 1997 and led the Manchester based company to achieve outstanding success in the sector for almost two decades.

Under his leadership the association trebled in size and achieved national and international status as a frontrunner of modern methods and innovation.

He was well known to many on the Scottish housing scene, being a regular contributor to the SHARE annual conference at Peebles and other housing events north of the Border.

Rod Hunter, former director at SHARE, said: “Tom really enjoyed his trips to the SHARE annual conference and his presentations were entertaining, thought provoking and always well received.”

Alasdair McKee, chief executive of Glen Oaks Housing Association, adopted the Irwell Valley Gold Service model, under which tenants were incentivised to behave and pay their rent on time, after hearing Tom set out his philosophy.

Alasdair added: “This is shocking news and our thoughts are with Tom’s family and all at Irwell Valley HA.”