THE management team at Leyland's Progress Housing has just gained two new housing and care professionals to head the organisation's subsidiary groups.

Colin Struthers is the new manager of Progress Care Housing Association, the charitable arm of the group, and Bernie Keenan is the new director of the association, which manages general housing needs.

Together the duo are responsible for 3,880 homes and services in South Ribble.

Colin was previously director of planning and performance at Creative Support, a Manchester-based charity providing supported housing for people with mental health needs.

He lives in Wheelton, near Chorley with his wife and two children.

Before his appointment Bernie was chief housing officer with Gosport Borough Council, where he led a department with more than 100 staff.

He has also been a member of two Local Government Association advisory panels. He said: "I am looking forward to these new challenges."

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