Max Steinberg CBE DL has been announced as the new chair of Plus Dane Housing.

He is set to replace Sir Peter Fahy in March 2025.

The housing association currently owns or manages more than 14,000 homes across Cheshire and Merseyside, including in Chester and Ellesmere Port.

Sir Fahy, the former chief constable of Greater Manchester Police, took the role in 2016 and will be stepping down next spring at the end of his nine-year tenure, in line with the organisation’s governance policy and procedures.

Mr Steinberg has now joined the Board as senior independent director and chair designate as part of succession planning before he takes over next year.

Mr Steinberg is a business leader in Merseyside, with a wealth of senior experience across the regeneration, innovation, health, culture and housing sectors.

His appointment at Plus Dane marks a return to his roots in housing, having started his career at Liverpool City Council in 1975.

He spent 25 years at the Housing Corporation and became chief executive of Elevate East Lancashire in 2003, a housing market renewal pathfinder that evolved into an economic development company.

Mr Steinberg was awarded the OBE in 1997 for services to housing and regeneration on Merseyside and the CBE for services to business and the community in 2013.

He has served as chair on the boards of numerous organisations throughout his career, including Riverside Housing, the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation, and The ACC Liverpool Group.

Mr Steinberg said: "It is exciting for me to return to an organisation and a sector that has meant so much to me in my career.

"I look forward to working with the Board and beginning my role as chair next year."

Ian Reed, chief executive of Plus Dane, said: "I am delighted to welcome Max Steinberg to Plus Dane as incoming chair.

"We have been incredibly fortunate to have had Sir Peter as chair of our board over the last nine years, and I thank him for his tenure, which has guided Plus Dane through transformation, significant challenges and positive change."

Sir Fahy said: "When I joined Plus Dane almost nine years ago it was going through challenging times.

"Together the executive team, board members and colleagues have worked to overcome the challenges, and we now have robust finances, a balance of investing in new homes and existing ones and a strong social purpose focused on the welfare of our customers."