DEATH ANNOUNCED OF NORFOLK SOCIAL HOUSING PIONEER
The staff and board at Broadland Housing are very sad to announce the passing of the housing association’s founding chief executive, Martin Miller, who was a pioneer of social housing in Norfolk.
A statement released by Broadland Housing said:
“Martin first came to Broadland Housing in 1968 as our first Chief Executive. He played an instrumental role in Broadland’s evolution, our mission and vision which are still part of our DNA today.
“In the early 1970s, when he was working with architects, Edward Skipper & Associates, Martin realised the way social housing provision in the UK was changing. Instead of councils supplying most social housing, their role and the funding for new housing was instead being transferred to Housing Associations.
“Martin seized that opportunity by establishing Broadland Housing Association and he worked at Broadland for 23 years, bringing to fruition some of our most popular housing schemes.
“Martin oversaw some of the most important changes in our history, from introducing tenant board members onto our board to building some of our larger housing schemes. He also takes the credit for buying The Cedars, which became a sheltered housing scheme in Norwich. Still one of our most popular schemes, he came back in 2006 to help us celebrate its 25th anniversary. [see attached picture]
“After he stepped down from his role as chief executive, Martin continued to support Broadland as a member. Up until the pandemic he attended the AGM every year, lending us once again his vast experience and knowledge at one of our most important meetings of the year.”
Michael Newey, the current chief executive of Broadland Housing, commented:
“Martin’s contribution to the people of Norfolk and to Broadland Housing was massive. As our first chief executive he helped grow Broadland from one scheme in Norwich to over 1,700 affordable rented homes across the county.
“He knew that a home is the foundation of everything else in life and he ensured that Broadland stretched itself to deliver new homes that communities needed.
“Personally I will miss Martin – his encouragement and his support. His family can be very proud of his contribution to this county and to lives of so many people over the years.”
Prior to founding Broadland Housing Association, Mr Miller, who was born in Norwich, spent the first 22 years of his career in the Norwich shoe trade with Norvic Shoe Company, eventually becoming a board member and heading the design team for both ladies and children’s shoes.
In 1951, he married Barbara Barker and in September last year they celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary. A devoted family man, he was father to three daughters – Charlotte, Louise and Alexandra - and a very popular ‘Dumper’ to eight grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
At the age of eight, he went to Westminster Cathedral Choir School as a boy chorister, which instilled in him a life-long love of music. He put this to good use as a very reliable tenor, singing for many years into his 90s with the Norwich Philharmonic Society Choir.
His other great passion was for sailing. Aged 17, when called up for National Service, Martin applied to join the Royal Navy. However, much to his disappointment, Martin was conscripted down the mines for four years as a Bevan Boy near Leeds in Yorkshire. Happily, from the 1960s until his mid-eighties, Martin was able to resume his passion for boats and he regularly enjoyed dinghy sailing at Blakeney and on The Broads.
Martin Miller’s funeral will be at St Peter Mancroft at 11am on Friday 2nd September. All are welcome. Attendees are encouraged to wear a dash of colour. Family flowers only; donations to Mancroft Advice Project (MAP) may be sent c/o Allcock Family Funeral Services, Falcon House, 96a City Road, NORWICH NR1 2HD or donate online at www.allcockfunerals.co.uk.