Gloucester-based housing and social care provider, Mears Group PLC has confirmed the permanent appointment of Jim Clarke as chair.

Clarke was promoted to interim chair in June following the resignation of chair-designate Chris Loughlin.

He joined the Mears' Board in 2019 and served most recently as Chair of the Audit and Compliance Committee.

The company said that Clarke has spent much of his career in senior finance roles in consumer-facing industries, having been Chief Financial Officer at David Lloyd Leisure, JD Wetherspoon and Countrywide. 

His 30 years of experience serving on various PLC boards 'will provide experience and continuity', the firm added.

Last month the Group reported a rise in its profit and revenue in its half-year results, driven by the company's management-led activities.

The firm said pre-tax profit in its six months ended June 30 was up 18% to £21.2 million, from £17.9 million.

Revenue in its first half was up 8.0% to £525.6 million, from £485.0 million year-on-year. Mears said that this boost was driven by elevated revenue within the group's management-led activities.

Mears employs 5,400 staff across the UK and is headquartered on Gloucester Business Park, Brockworth. The firm manages 17,000 homes for local and central Government, as well as maintaining 750,000 social homes.