A Gloucestershire housing association has appointed a new corporate director.

Peter Stoate will lead the social housing and commercial operations at Two Rivers Housing.

He brings with him a mixture of experience in housing and business which will be particularly valuable in driving forward the organisation's profit-for-purpose subsidiaries - Centigen Facilities Management and TwoCan estate agency.

Mr Stoate was previously with Solihull Community Housing, where his role as chief of assets and business development saw him leading its new business programme, identifying commercial opportunities to increase income and add value to the lives of tenants and residents. He was also responsible for the strategic direction of the asset management, stock growth and regeneration programme.

He began his career working in mergers and acquisitions for a building society, but then led the management buy-out of an estate agency network, growing the business and turning it into a successful franchise operation.

After 12 years he took a career-break to study for an MBA Diploma and then he embarked upon a different direction, moving into the social housing sector. He worked in Buckinghamshire and then at Brixton and Tower Hamlets in London before launching a new privately-funded renewable energy company. Mr Stoate has also worked at Stroud District Council, as head of development and asset management.

He said: "I am delighted to be joining Two Rivers Housing and look forward to the challenge of expanding and developing the organisation's subsidiaries."

Garry King, chief executive of Two Rivers Housing, added: "Peter joins us at a very exciting time as Centigen adds property repairs and maintenance to its service portfolio,