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Darrell was CEO of A2Dominion for over 34 years, having joined Acton Housing Association in 1988. He grew the organisation from being a small local housing provider with 850 homes in management and a single office in Ealing, to become an organisation that provided much-needed homes and services across London and southern England to thousands of residents.

Darrell was crucial to A2Dominion’s growth, having led the association through several successful mergers. This includes with Oxford-based Cherwell Housing Association in 2004 to create Dominion Housing Group, with Orpington-based Kelsey Housing Association in 2006, and then a merger with Staines and Winchester-based A2 Housing Group to create A2Dominion in 2008.

Darrell announced his plans to retire in 2021, following a period of ill health. By the time Darrell retired in August 2022, he had become the housing sector’s longest currently serving CEO. He continued various non-executive roles following his retirement.

We are all deeply sorry for his loss and wish to extend our condolences to his family, friends, colleagues, and everyone who knew and loved him. May he rest in peace.

Darrell is survived by his immediate family: his wife Louise, daughter Ruby, son Richard and Lexi, their dog.

Notes to Editors

Darrell Mercer had over 40 years’ experience in the housing sector and started his career as a graduate trainee with the Housing Corporation. He was previously Assistant Director of Housing for the London Borough of Islington and is the former Chief Executive of Acton Housing Association and the Dominion Housing Group. He was also a non-executive Board member for Your Housing Group and Zen Housing Group.

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Housing sector CEOs - Based on research originally published by Inside Housing (2018), Darrell was the longest-serving housing CEO up until his retirement and had one of the longest-ever tenures.