Sparrow achieves top regulatory grades for governance, viability, and consumer standards

Sparrow Shared Ownership has received the highest gradings across all regulatory standards following an inspection by the Regulator of Social Housing.

In its judgement, the Regulator confirmed that Sparrow has been awarded:

• C1 for Consumer Standards – affirming that Sparrow delivers the outcomes of the consumer standards; treating customers with fairness and respect, maintaining effective health and safety compliance, and using feedback to shape and improve service delivery.

• G1 for Governance – confirming that Sparrow meets the Regulator’s governance requirements and demonstrates strong risk management and clear accountability.

• V1 for Financial Viability – recognising Sparrow’s robust financial profile, stress-tested business plan, and capacity to withstand a wide range of adverse scenarios.

This marks the first regulatory judgement for Sparrow Shared Ownership since its acquisition by USS in August 2024. The inspection included Board observation, customer and leadership interviews, scrutiny of governance and risk frameworks, and a comprehensive review of documentation.

Anita Khan, Managing Director of Sparrow Shared Ownership said:

“We are pleased that the Regulator recognises the strength of our governance, financial resilience, and commitment to delivering meaningful outcomes for customers. These gradings reflect the hard work of our team and everyone involved in building solid foundations from day one.

“This achievement gives us confidence for the future. We will continue to focus on providing high-quality homes, excellent services, and more opportunities for affordable home ownership, offering people the stability and flexibility they need. And as we look ahead, we remain committed to meeting the highest standards expected by our customers, Regulators, and partners.”

David Avery, Chair of Sparrow Shared Ownership said:

“The Board welcomes this judgement. It provides assurance that the governance framework and controls we have established are working effectively and gives confidence in the organisation’s resilience. I am pleased with the progress made in a relatively short period of time.

“The Board will continue to provide strong oversight and maintain high standards of governance, transparency, and compliance to support Sparrow Shared Ownership’s long-term development.”

Eamon Ray, Head of Private Credit and Alternative Income at USS Investment Management added:

“The Regulator’s judgement demonstrates that Sparrow is delivering the strong governance and financial discipline we expect from our partners. It reflects our commitment to responsible, long-term investment in the UK housing sector – combining financial resilience with meaningful social impact.”