THE chief executive of Wigan and Leigh Homes has announced her retirement after almost 40 years' service.

Janice Barton, who began her career as a trainee housing manager with Wigan Council in 1978, is retiring after leading the borough's housing company since 2013.

The 58-year-old said: “I am incredibly proud to have been the chief executive of Wigan and Leigh Homes and to have been part of an organisation which has achieved so much over the years.

“It has been a privilege to lead a supportive and dedicated team committed to improving the lives of residents in the borough.

“It has also been a great privilege to work alongside some amazing tenants who dedicate their own time to make our communities better places to live.”

Janice has led Wigan and Leigh Homes, which manages 22,500 properties on behalf of Wigan Council, through a time of major changes for the housing sector.

She says her proudest achievements include strengthening housing options and services for vulnerable people and working closely with tenants and residents to improve the quality of life on estates through the Better Neighbourhood Fund.

She also spearheaded the introduction of the Deal for Tenants, which gives tenants a greater role in how Wigan and Leigh Homes works with its communities, and under her leadership it has become one of the top performing housing organisations in the country.

Janice, who is preparing to become a grandmother for the first time, added: “I have had a long and fulfilling career in housing and I have seen a lot of changes and improvements in housing in that time.

“I am sad to be leaving but also looking forward to a big change in my life and spending more time with my family.”

Donna Hall, chief executive of Wigan Council, said: “We are hugely grateful to Janice for her dedicated service to housing in the borough.

“Her work has touched many thousands of people over the years, making their lives and the communities in which they live better places to be.

“We wish her a very happy and enjoyable retirement.”

Neil Turner, chairman of Wigan and Leigh Homes, said: “I would like to thank Janice for her dedicated service.

“She has been an excellent leader and fully committed to improving the service that we provide for the benefit of our tenants.”

As part of the ‘Deal for the Future’, Wigan and Leigh Homes and Wigan Council are now planning the future of housing services in the borough together, including ambitious plans for housing growth.

This will be led by Karl Battersby, the council’s director of economy and environment.

Wigan and Leigh Homes delivers more than £60 million of investment into existing and new properties every year.

Since 2009 it has built more than 200 new homes and plans to build a further 1,200 new homes over the next 30 years.