A housing association boss is to retire after 37 years in the business.

Peter Stringer has been chief executive of Golding Homes, based in Allington, Maidstone, since it was created in 2003.

He will leave the job at the end of September next year, with a recruitment process for his successor beginning shortly and set to be confirmed in the spring.

The company is a landlord of more than 7,200 homes and has built 1,200 new properties, investing £150 million in large-scale regeneration projects.

Mr Stringer completed his degree in town planning at the University of Birmingham and began his housing career in 1980 as a housing assistant at Warrington Borough Council.

He moved to Kent in 1986 to become assistant housing director at Maidstone Borough Council.

He has since held several non-executive housing association roles as a board member at Sanctuary, Horizon and Mole Valley Housing Associations, the National Housing Federation and has been an executive member of the Kent Housing Group.

He said: “It has been a hugely rewarding experience to establish and lead Golding Homes over the last 14 years and a pleasure to work alongside so many talented and dedicated people who are committed to making a difference to the lives of our customers and communities.

“Golding is in my blood and I am sad to be leaving, but I feel now is the right time to retire and look forward to spending more time travelling with my family and on the golf course.”

Golding Homes chairman Roger Ford said: “Under Peter’s leadership Golding Homes has grown to become one of the leading housing providers in Kent, with an excellent reputation as a social landlord and developer of high-quality affordable homes.

“He will be leaving the organisation in an excellent position to grow further and meet the challenges of the future, and although we are sad to be losing Peter his legacy will continue for many years.”