David Seviour OBE has been appointed Chairman of Project Management (PM), the Stoke-based training provider which has recently joined Aspire Housing Group.

The business is a social enterprise which tackles worklessness among young people.

Seviour is former Chief Executive of the LHA-ASRA housing and regeneration group, former Chairman of Urban Living (the Birmingham-Sandwell Housing Market Renewal Pathfinder), former Chairman of Meden Valley Making Places, a board member of Leicester Regeneration Company, and a former board member of Regeneration East Midlands.

He helped to create TREES, the £8.6m east midlands social enterprise agency and has attended advisory meetings at the Treasury and 10 Downing Street on homelessness, social enterprise and regeneration.

In 2006 he was awarded an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List for services to social housing.

Will Nixon, Chief Executive of PM said: “David Seviour is a leading authority and commentator on housing, regeneration and social enterprise issues. His appointment is a real coup for the organisation.”

David Seviour added: “I am thrilled at the opportunity to play a part in helping young people rebuild their lives through training and working. By helping them make the most of their potential and improve their earning capacity, we can make a real difference not only to their lives, but to the communities in which they live and work.”

Jane Price, Group Chairman of Aspire Housing, said: “I am delighted that PM has appointed such a high calibre chairman. His experience and expertise in this sector will be invaluable.”

Established in 1982, PM targets unemployed teenagers who leave school without qualifications, as well as those facing exclusion from education.

Since its launch, it has provided tailor-made training and life-coaching programmes for nearly 9,000 people, and now turns over £2m per annum.

It boasts the largest Entry to Employment contract in Staffordshire giving youngsters a balance of real life work tasters and a support programme that also offers sports and leisure activities, job search skills and CV writing.

Around 500 job and training opportunities are provided each year, and 70% of all trainees go on to pursue long-term training or permanent employment – one of the highest success rates in the country.

The business employs more than 50 people, and is thought to be the largest social enterprise subsidiary of any UK housing association.

With major contracts with the Learning and Skills Council, it provides training in subjects ranging from basic numeracy and literacy to NVQ management programmes. All courses are delivered by highly qualified and experienced staff in state-of-the-art facilities.

It partners with more than 170 businesses, helping to re-skill workforces and providing a valued supply of apprentices and employees.

PM also provides home improvement and environmental services to elderly and vulnerable council tenants, including gardening and landscaping, carpet fitting and furnishing, and painting.

Homeworks, the delivery vehicle for these services, was established in 1996 and has quickly grown. Predominantly funded by Stoke on Trent City Council, it now consists of 20 teams, each with its own supervisor and four trainees.

The Homeworks project has already assisted thousands of local people, but rapid expansion plans are now in place, including the introduction of new services.

Aspire Housing, owns and manages 8,500 properties across North Staffordshire. The organisation was established in 2000 to take ownership of housing stock transferred from Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council. The majority of its properties are located in the borough of Newcastle-under-Lyme which lies west of Stoke-on-Trent and midway between Manchester and Birmingham.

Email: a.watts@quicksilverpr.co.uk