A repair and maintenance company which has successfully carried out more than 400,000 repairs since 2018 is marking three huge milestones this year.

Firstly, Unitas - owned by Stoke-on-Trent City Council - has seen its existing contract with the council extended for a further five years.

This means the company will continue to carry out repairs and maintenance services across more than 17,000 council-owned houses and public buildings until 2028.

Secondly, Unitas is celebrating its 5th anniversary today (3 February).

In its first five years Unitas has delivered:

• 408,999 responsive repairs, including 40,911 emergency repairs
• 5,971 void properties repaired and refurbished ready for new tenants
• Invested over £91 million in planned maintenance and improvements
• Works on public buildings including a Covid Vaccination Centres and The Potteries Museum & Art Gallery.

A number of contractors took part in the Potters 'Arf to raise money for Cancer Research (Unitas).

Councillor Abi Brown, Leader of Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: "We have been extremely impressed with the services Unitas has provided us with over the last five years, across our housing stock and public buildings portfolio.

"So it gives me great pleasure to be able to confirm that we have decided to extend our agreement with Unitas for a further five years. 

"I'm looking forward to working with the team over the coming years and would like to thank everyone for their contribution in making the company such a huge success." 

To support the company's ambitions for growth, Unitas is also welcoming Stephen Garner as company director from Tuesday 11 April.

Stephen Garner (Stoke-on-Trent City Council).

Stephen, who is currently the assistant director of property (repairs and maintenance) at Together Housing Group, has an extensive background in housing with a career working across local authorities and housing providers.  

Stephen said: "It's a very exciting time to be joining the organisation and I'm really pleased to have been appointed as the new Director of Unitas. I am looking forward to meeting teams across the business and leading the organisation forward when I join in April.   

"The extension of our service agreement with the city council is testament to all the hard work and commitment the team has provided over the past five years and it provides Unitas with a solid foundation to build from.    

"Improving what we do, collectively growing as a business whilst supporting the council, our customers and the communities in which we operate will be a key factor to our future success."

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