THE manager of Chester's 7,000 ex-council houses has retired on grounds of ill health.
Geoff Blackburn, chief executive of Chester & District Housing Trust, has stepped down on medical advice.
Mr Blackburn oversaw the transfer of properties from Chester City Council to the housing association in November 2000.
The trust's board of directors were told the retirement was on the basis of medical advice and did not involve any severance payment or other special financial arrangement.
Su Bramley and David Rooke, currently directors of resources and operations, will be joint acting chief executives until the trust has reviewed the position.
The trust says the delivery of services to tenants and other customers will be unaffected.
Board chairman Michael Shepstone-Trewartha said: 'Geoff has worked very hard on behalf of the tenants of Chester for many years and he has made a significant contribution to the work of the housing trust both before and after transfer.
'I wish him a long and happy retirement.'
