HICA Group Chief Executive Andrew Stow said: “I’m delighted that the joint venture’s headquarters will be in Hull where HICA’s own head offices are, and it’s also pleasing that they will be located in an area which is at the heart of the city’s plans for further regeneration.”

The joint venture’s first retirement village for the over 55s, a £30 million project located near Chorley in Lancashire, is now under construction. The 200-home village is due to be completed by Autumn 2008.

Mr Stow said that Oakbridge Retirement Villages were currently in various stages of planning to commence a further two villages during the next 12 months, building eventually to three a year. Hull, the East Riding and North Lincolnshire are among the areas being considered.

“These developments are likely to require approximately 100 full and part time members of staff on each site, and there will also be substantial jobs created during the construction programme,” he added.

“These retirement villages will help to meet a growing demand in the market place. It is estimated that by 2011, 75 per cent of people aged over 65 will be home owners and they are likely to want to remain home owners as they grow older. As people move away from the traditional practice of going into a care home, we are offering them an alternative solution. They can remain independent and be with like minded people, feeling safe and secure living in a stimulating and friendly environment whilst also having access to care and support if they need it.”

The HICA Group decided to form the joint venture partnership with Caddick Developments following the tremendous response to HICA’s Holderness Grange Retirement Village, which is under construction at Hedon.

Mr Stow said: “In many ways Holderness Grange has provided the blueprint for the retirement villages which will follow, although whilst Holderness Grange exclusively offers homes for sale, we will also be developing other models for future villages. These will include rental homes for assisted living, and accommodation for people with specialist care needs. We are at the beginning of a major shift in the way in which the housing and support needs of older people are delivered.”

HICA Sales and Marketing Director Irene Heffernan and Property Director Phillip Clark are pictured outside Marina Court with an artist’s impression of one of the joint venture’s retirement villages.

A total of 59 managers, directors and board members attended the conference and were addressed by Group Chief Executive Andrew Stow, Homecare Director Penni Brown and Care Homes Director Ty Platten, who discussed the care sector and how HICA is planning for further growth.

HICA Group Chief Executive Andrew Stow said: “The conference was a major event for HICA because it was the first we have held. It gave us the opportunity not only to discuss strategy but also to recognise the achievements of our managers and their teams. We are now looking forward to making next year’s conference even bigger and better.”

Ida Smith, of Elm Tree Court care home in Hull; Julie Wood, of Kirkgate House in Bridlington; and Sue Rimmer of Grimsby Homecare; received Manager of the Year awards in the respective categories of caring for older people, caring for those with learning disabilities, and meeting the needs of Homecare clients.

Elm Tree Court, Kirkgate House and Grimsby Homecare, together with Raleigh Court in Hull, also won awards for outstanding customer service.