COLCHESTER-BASED Colne Housing Society has appointed Richard Jones as its new business and commercial manager.Mr Jones will be offering the society's skills in a variety of disciplines including property management, leasehold services and payroll to other housing associations, property developers and local organisations.

COLCHESTER-BASED Colne Housing Society has appointed Richard Jones as its new business and commercial manager.

Mr Jones will be offering the society's skills in a variety of disciplines including property management, leasehold services and payroll to other housing associations, property developers and local organisations.

The move is a departure from the normal work undertaken by the society, but reflects the way it is expanding and developing into new areas to secure more affordable housing in the future.

Mr Jones, who joins after a career in property sales and was a senior branch manager with Bairstow Eves, said he was looking forward to the job.

“I am looking forward to this new challenge and ensuring Colne becomes the first port of call for organisations which are looking to outsource work that is difficult for them to complete and for which we already have a skilled team in place. I am talking to a number of potential clients about how Colne can assist them,” he said.

Mark Powell Davies, chief executive for Colne Housing, said: “This is new territory for us and is groundbreaking for a housing association. We intend to plough any profits made directly into our affordable housing building programme.”