Our Story

Then Now Future

Then

We improve people’s lives. We provide security through our reliable landlord supply a wide range of housing options housing crisis. Our strengths are our

This is Aster We exist for one very simple reason: so everyone has a home. This is our vision.

Everyone has a home

very

provide safety and landlord services and we options in response to the our people and ethical approach.

that home.

Then

Where we came from

Housing associations first emerged philanthropists. Appalled by the terrible working people and having an understanding workforce would prove to be a productive in to provide better conditions themselves. basis of what went on to become

emerged in the 19th century as wealthy terrible living conditions of many understanding that a healthy productive workforce, they stepped themselves. This formed the the social housing sector.

While the way housing associations changed over the years, our ambition a positive impact on society - by providing all backgrounds from working families people and those in need - has never

Then

associations are owned and operated has ambition and determination to have providing services to people of families and professionals to older never wavered.

Where we came from

Our origins go as far back as 1990 Association (EDHA) was formed and from the local council. Just under 50 EDHA was one of the very first Large

Where we came from

Where we came from Then

Since then, we have grown by combining forces with a number of other housing across the South and South West of our resources, skills and talent to create one of the UK’s largest and most innovative

combining our housing associations of England. We pooled create what we are today: innovative housing associations.

Where we came from Then

In 2016, we adopted the Aster Group our organisation under one name, vision. We’re proud that many colleagues have joined us five, 10, or even 20 years are still part of our journey today.

Group brand, unifying name, culture and colleagues who years ago

Our history

Helping to solve the nation’s housing crisis.

Sarsen Housing Association

is formed with the transfer of 5,000 homes from Kennet District Council in Devizes, Wiltshire.

1995

“Toy Story”, the first-ever computer animated feature film, is released.

Association transfer

Test Valley Borough Council customers vote to move over 5,200 homes into housing association control.

Council control.

Housing on local council, employees. This included to form a Building Division.

2000

Mendip Housing is founded with 4,400 properties

The Eden Project in Cornwall, UK, opened its doors on 17 March 2001. 2001

Sarsen Housing Association forms Silbury Group Ridgeway Community and Silbury First 2003

The last flight of Concordethe world’s only supersonic passenger service.

Association Group, Community Housing Association Limited.

Synergy

(PHT). the from 2004

Social media network, Facebook, is launched by Mark Zuckerberg.

Aster Group

Testway Housing, alliance with across the and assets of same year,

A string of benefit concerts take place in the G8 states and in South Africa.

40,000 customers, after Group. 2006

Aster combines its three housing associations into a single Registered Provider – Aster Communities.

Aster Homes is created to develop new properties, Aster Living to deliver care and support services and Aster Property to manage assets and carry out maintenance and repairs. Synergy completes a similar step, merging its three housing providers into one: Synergy Housing.

Prince William & Catherine Middleton marry on 29 April at Westminster Abbey. 2011

Synergy Group merges with Aster Group with a combined total of 20,000 customers, 350 colleagues and 9,000 homes.

2012 Summer Olympics was held from 27 July to 12 August 2012 in London. 2012

2016

The group rebrands under single identity: Aster Group

Our vision is that everyone has a home. It’s a bold statement but one everyone across our business is passionate about. 2016

Aster has over 90,000 customers and 31,000 homes

Wales wins the Six Nations Grand Slam.

We’re also pleased to unveil our Aster brand with a refreshed look and feel.

Where we are today

help turn

vision

a

To

our

into

reality, we are guided by six business priorities:

Aster foundation strategy 2020/21

Positive impact

Everyone has a home and the opportunity to improve their own lives.

strategy 2020/21

Transformation strategy 2020/21

Adaptable

Adaptable

We are ready for the future.

Building homes

To build as many homes as we can through a range of options to support the vision ‘everyone has a home’.

as of housing vision

Provide safe, supported by communities where

Asset management strategy 2020/21

Dynamic assets

safe, well maintained homes by long-term investment in where people choose to live.

Where we are today Now

If Aster was listed on the stock market, be among the biggest businesses the FTSE 250 league table. We run mind-set but one that has a social heart for shareholders. Instead, we reinvest new homes and ensuring we provide This is why we describe

ourselves as

market, it would businesses in the country and would rank in run our business with a commercial heart and doesn’t create dividends reinvest our profits back into building provide a good service to our customers. as a not-for-dividend business.

We give people the security that home that suits their needs and across starter, fixed-term and assured can come to us direct or through all our rents, in many cases so that than private rents for a similar home means we make living in an affordable maintained, safe and secure, a reality

Where we are today Now

that is so essential to wellbeing, in a often for as long as they need it, assured tenancies. Our customers through their local council. We subsidise that they are significantly lower home in the same area. This affordable home, that’s well reality for thousands of people.

If we are to fulfil our vision and help the UK’s housing crisis, then building homes must be a core part of what we do. We are now developing more new properties than ever before, making us one of the top 10 most active social housing developers in the UK. We plan to invest £2 billion over seven years on over 10,700 new homes across affordable rent, shared ownership and outright sale.

help tackle building more what more

Where we are today Now

We believe that offering a range of options will help us to house more people and support the aspirations of those looking to own their own home. Doing so also means we have the funds to build more homes and to maintain those we already own.

Our approach to development has associations develop affordable homes built by private housebuilders, through Agreements. This will remain an important programme, working in strategic joint we’re also looking to strengthen our development. This means we are increasingly destiny, and can offer the homes that

Where we are today Now

has changed too. Most housing homes on large sites that are being through what are known as Section 106 important part of our development joint venture partnerships. But our ability to buy our own land for increasingly the masters of our own that our future customers need.

Supporting rural housing has always us and we’re very proud to have an programme through Community Land

These are smaller projects that bring local housing to local people in rural

bring affordable, rural areas.

Where we are today Now

always been a key driver for an active development Land Trusts (CLT).

10 years.

£1 billion economic value

For every economic benefit through job creation wherever possible. While we’re goal of £60 is achievable. Over the £1 billion of economic value in the local

economic Now Where we are today

As we invest, it’s important that we create social value. every £1 we spend, we generate an benefit of £46 to the local economy creation and using local supply chains, we’re pleased with this we believe a the last 10 years we’ve created over local communities in which we work.

£1.2 million social value

12 months. on social we generate £28 wider social, economic and work are measured. Over the £1.2 million in social value for

months.

Now Where we are today

We’re also proud of our record social value and for every £1 we invest, £28 in social value, which is how the and environmental benefits of our the last 12 months we have created for our customers and communities.

Where we are going...

So what else to come Future

Growth

Growth else is Future

Culture Technology Growth

So what else is to come Future

But, to continue this success, we can’t stand growth has always been a part of who we The ongoing rent stability, following several to continue developing, investing and growing. even bigger, positive impact on thousands

What does this mean? Well, we’re going to invest in our current and future workforce, initiatives, and develop and use new technology.

stand still – we never have done. Change and we are. Now, it’s more important than ever. several reductions, gives us a great opportunity growing. This means we can really make an thousands of lives and thousands more. to grow our business, evolve our culture, further strengthen our Safety First technology.

So what else is to come Future

Growing our business stability to continue making an it ensures we can provide as as possible. We’ll be flexible and

means we have the strength and an impact long into the future. And many homes for as many people and won’t pursue growth at all costs.

So what else

to come Future

is

Our plan is to grow sustainably too, expanding our development programme. This can be done by looking for opportunities merge where we can guarantee a colleagues and customers - or forming and looking for opportunities to launch that help us achieve our vision.

by programme. opportunities to a strong offer for our forming strategic partnershipslaunch new and different services

Our culture...

culture...

We want our culture to be underpinned by a vision where we...

Trust, empower and respect each other.

Make sound commercial decisions.

Agile Are agile and resilient.

Innovative

So what else to come Future

Technology continues to positively economy and our everyday lives. We digital solutions that will help make responsive to our colleague and customer two years, we will streamline our processes culture for both ourselves and our

Technology else is Future

positively disrupt many parts of the We want to embrace modern make us more effective, agile and customer needs. Over the next processes to promote a self-serve customers.

We’re doing this through six major customers and colleagues to interact them. All of our colleagues will be equipped technology to perform their roles to accessing information and learning data will be a big part of this.

So what else is to come Future

digital projects that will enable interact with us 24/7 in a way that suits equipped with the right tools and to the best of their ability, too. And, learning how we make the most of our

For our colleagues, we know that if we all feel how our contribution makes a difference, good as they can be. We’re on an exciting sets us apart is The Aster Way. This is a shared work – creating a fair and inclusive culture. that underpin everything we do, every day how we collaborate, communicate and innovate.

We believe in harnessing the potential of everyone and investing in our colleagues is paramount. of talent that will keep our business at the and delivery of our vision for many years to

So what else is to come Future

feel part of a team and understand our services to customers will be as exciting transformation journey and what shared understanding of the way we culture. It’s a straightforward set of principles day - from how we lead and learn, to innovate. everyone right across the business paramount. We will also develop a pipeline forefront of new ideas, innovation to come.

Foundation.

partnership working going to deliver financial support for employability and skills Foundation will also back projects that help communities to improve their own lives and call home.

Future

We’re excited about the potential for Aster Foundation to continue evolving to the changing needs of our customers All the while, we’ll continue to back match funding to benefit local communities

So what else is to come

for the evolving and responding customers and communities. colleague volunteering and communities and charities.

At a glance

over 1,200

employees and over 200 additional colleagues

1,200

over 200 colleagues in EBHT

customers 90,000

customers 90,000

£2BN

programme, building homes seven years