EAST OF ENGLAND housing development company Iceni Homes has appointed a new regional director to push ahead with the company's growth in 2009.Steve Heywood will be based in the Colchester office of Colne Housing, which is one of three housing associations which make up the Iceni development company.

EAST OF ENGLAND housing development company Iceni Homes has appointed a new regional director to push ahead with the company's growth in 2009.

Steve Heywood will be based in the Colchester office of Colne Housing, which is one of three housing associations which make up the Iceni development company. His appointment follows the recent retirement of Sandra Howard.

Iceni provides affordable homes for those in housing need in the East Anglia region and has a current programme worth �18million.

Staffordshire-born Mr Heywood, a former senior business development manager for Places for People in Norwich, brings over 20 years' experience in housing to his new job.

His role will be to generate business to met the strategic needs of Iceni, manage existing housing projects and work on new development schemes and opportunities.

Mr Heywood, a member of the Chartered Institute of building, said: “Colne Housing and Iceni Homes together provide an invaluable service to the local communities with everybody working together to provide good quality homes at a price people can afford.Iceni Homes managing director Mike Goodson said: “Steve will be an excellent ambassador for both Iceni and Colne housing and is committed to working on our track record of providing much needed high quality affordable housing to help meet the needs of many communities in Essex, Norfolk and North Suffolk.”