Our People

Arthur Merchant

Chair of the Finance and Audit Committee

Arthur is an experienced qualified public finance accountant, who progressed his career through Robson Rhodes (Chartered Accountants) and later as Partner with Grant Thornton UK LLP, specialising in the areas of audit and housing associations.  Arthur retired from Grant Thornton in 2013 and became a Non-Executive Board member for Southern Housing Group.

Arthur has undertaken many Board and Committee roles with organisations such as St Anne’s Shelter and Housing Association, Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce, CIPFA Housing Association Panel, MIND, Raven Housing Trust, Synergy Housing Group / Aster Housing Group and Southern Housing Group, which he currently chairs.  Southern Housing Group is a major London and South East based housing association with over 28,000 properties providing a range of housing, care and support services to people in need.

Arthur is an experienced non-executive who brings a wide level of knowledge and expertise in the key areas of audit and risk, together with an in-depth understanding of the charity and not-for-profit sectors.  Arthur is semi-retired and lives locally in Dorset.

Arthur Merchant - Dorset Mental Health Forum