THE chief executive of a social housing group has announced he is to retire in November when he turns 60.

Iain Simm has spent 15 years in the role at Coast and Country and boasts a 43 year career in housing.

In 2001, he led the team at Redcar & Cleveland Council that managed the transfer of its housing stock to the housing association, taking on the role of the organisation’s chief executive in 2002.

He said: “After 15 years at Coast & Country, and more years than I care to remember in the housing sector, it’s now time to pass the reins on to someone else.”

Nigel Barton, chairman of Coast & Country, said: “Iain has done a magnificent job from leading the initial stock transfer to establishing the organisation as a housing provider that contributes significantly to the local communities in which it works.”

The recruitment process will begin in the summer.