Nadra Ahmed CBE,
Chair, National Care Association
Executive Co-Chairman of the National Care Association and former Chair of the Care Provider Alliance. With over 45 years’ experience in social care, she has led and developed care services since 1981 and has chaired the National Care Association since 2001.
Recognised as one of the sector’s most influential voices, Nadra has served on numerous government taskforces, advised parliamentarians and represented social care through major national challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic. She has held leadership and trustee roles across a range of organisations, including Skills for Care, Parkinson’s UK and SCIE.
A Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Kent, Kent Ambassador and former High Sheriff of Kent (2023/24), Nadra was awarded an OBE in 2006 and a CBE in 2023 for services to social care. She is a regular speaker, commentator and advocate for the sector, championing independent care providers at both national and international level.
James Allen,
Chief Executive Officer, National Care Group
James, CEO of National Care Group, began his career in local government and NHS roles, leading social care transformation initiatives before joining NCG. Since taking on the CEO role in 2019, he has led a team of 2,900 colleagues supporting more than 1,400 adults with varying needs to achieve their full potential and live as independent citizens. In 2021, James was appointed a trustee of the Care England board, where he helps shape the future of social care and champion collaborative partnerships across the sector.
Angela Boxall
Chief Executive Officer, Majesticare
Angela is widely respected as one of the most forward-thinking leaders in the social care sector and is known for her ability to bring smiles and positivity wherever she goes. Having developed her career through the ranks, she is now CEO of Majesticare, a leading luxury care home group recognised for its people-first culture, inspiring environments, and innovative use of technology.
In 2023, Angela was appointed Chair of Care England and also serves as a Director of Championing Social Care, where she continues to shape the future of the sector. Passionate about changing perceptions and encouraging younger generations into social care, she has hosted and chaired sector-wide events, supported major charity fundraisers, and is an ambassador for Access Social Care.
Aneurin Brown
Chief Operating Officer, Hallmark Luxury Care Homes
Aneurin Brown is CEO of Hallmark Luxury Care Homes and a recognised leader in social care, featured in Care Home Professional’s 2026 Power List. An award-winning executive, he has received the Executive Care Home Leader Award (2022) and Executive of the Year (2023). A Chartered Health and Safety Professional, Aneurin serves as Nominated Individual for CQC and Responsible Individual for CIW. He is also a Director of Care Sector’s Got Talent and Championing Social Care, and a Trustee of the Goyal Foundation and Care England. He recently completed a Diploma in Corporate Governance from the Corporate Governance Institute.
Ruth Brown
Managing Director, Home Instead
Ruth joined Home Instead in 2010 and currently serves as Managing Director of Home Instead UK, an Honor Company. With firsthand experience of balancing family, business life and caring responsibilities, she brings valuable insight to her leadership and is a respected mentor and role model within the sector. Ruth also proudly Chairs the Board of the British Franchise Association, where she champions ethical and responsible franchising. Passionate about purpose-driven organisations, she leads with energy, compassion and a commitment to creating a positive impact for people, businesses and the communities they serve.
Lara Bywater
Managing Director, LDC Care
I am the Managing Director of LDC Care Company, where I have spent the past 27 years developing and growing high-quality adult social care services. I am passionate about delivering person-centred support, driving innovation, and championing excellence across the sector. Alongside my role at LDC Care, I serve as a Director of The Outstanding Society, working with colleagues to share best practice and promote outstanding care. I am also actively involved in the Kent Integrated Care Alliance (KICA), ensuring providers’ voices are heard and helping to shape the future of health and social care.
Dr Pete Calveley
Chief Executive Officer, Barchester
Dr Pete Calveley is CEO of Barchester Healthcare and a pioneer in the care industry for over 25 years with extensive knowledge and understanding of the sector. A prominent figure in the field of health and social care, Pete has used his expertise and passion in to successfully lead Barchester Healthcare for the last ten years, with an unwavering commitment to a ‘Quality First’ approach. Pete’s background has always been in the health industry. He is a doctor of medicine from Leeds University and worked as a GP for 20 years.
Sarah Clarke-Kuehn
Chief Operating Officer – Commercial, Sanctuary
As Chief Operating Officer – Commercial, Sarah Clarke-Kuehn oversees a portfolio of operations on behalf of Sanctuary Group, including Sanctuary Care, Sanctuary Supported Living, and Sanctuary Students. Sarah joined Sanctuary in 2011 as Head of Finance – Housing and Communities and since then has undertaken a number of roles including Director of Housing Operations, Commercial Services Director, Operations Director for Sanctuary Supported Living, and Group Director – Care.
Sarah is a qualified management accountant with varied experience in commercial, customer-focused environments within multinational PLCs and not-for-profit cultures. She started her career at London International Group (FMCG) and progressed from manufacturing into the service sector with RWE npower. Sarah is also a member of the Board of Trustees of the National Care Forum (NCF).
Rebekah Cresswell
Chief Executive Officer, Priory Group
Rebekah Cresswell has established herself as one of the UK’s most influential leaders in health and social care. A registered nurse with more than 30 years’ experience, she has built her career on quality improvement, governance and operational excellence.
Since becoming CEO of Priory in 2021, she has led one of the UK’s largest providers of mental health, addiction and adult social care through a period of significant transformation.
Through her role on the Care England policy board, engagement with parliamentarians, policymakers and representative bodies, she has consistently championed better collaboration across health and social care.
Olivia Curno
Chief Executive Officer, Elizabeth Finn Homes
Olivia joined Elizabeth Finn Homes in 2023, bringing extensive leadership experience from the non-profit sector. She was previously Chief Executive Officer of the Vision Foundation, and before that led fundraising and communications at Place2Be and Autistica. Earlier in her career, she was a researcher and lecturer in evolutionary biology.
Olivia is a Board Member of Care England and a Trustee of the Helen Bamber Foundation, which supports survivors of trafficking and torture. She was previously a Trustee of Turn2us, Elizabeth Finn Homes’ parent charity, and remains passionate about tackling financial insecurity and strengthening the connection between Elizabeth Finn Homes and Turn2us.
Tim Davies
Chief Executive Officer, ivolve Care & Support
Tim Davies is Chief Executive Officer of ivolve Care & Support, bringing more than 25 years’ experience leading organisations across health and social care. Since joining ivolve in 2021, Tim has led with a clear focus on helping more people to flourish – championing high-quality, person-led support, investing in colleagues and continually striving for better outcomes. A forward-thinking and progressive leader, he is passionate about innovation, challenging traditional ways of working and advocating for the people, colleagues and organisations across this vital part of social care. He is equally passionate about raising the profile of the sector and the extraordinary difference it makes every day.
Amrit Dhaliwal
Chief Executive Officer, Walfinch
Amrit Dhaliwal believes the best home care enables people to thrive. Amrit has established himself as one of the most forward-thinking leaders in UK home care by demonstrating that commercial success and exceptional care are possible. As CEO of Walfinch, he has transformed the organisation from a growing home care franchise into the active home care company, challenging traditional perceptions of care through a clear vision: helping people live healthier, more active lives. Amrit is the author of Time to Thrive the Home Care Revolution and a business ambassador for The Royal Osteoporosis Society and a Qualified Franchise Professional (QFP).
Bethan J Evans
Chief Executive Officer, My Choice Healthcare
Bethan is a passionate and inspirational leader with over 30 years’ experience in social care across the public, not-for-profit and private sectors. As CEO of My Choice Healthcare, she leads with warmth, integrity and compassion, always keeping people at the heart of every decision. Bethan is deeply committed to creating outstanding, person-centred services where people feel safe, valued and empowered to live fulfilling lives. A natural mentor and champion for others, she brings energy, kindness and genuine care to everything she does. Above all, Bethan believes in making a difference every day, for the people receiving care and those providing it.
Karolina Gerlich
Chief Executive Officer, The Care Workers Charity
Karolina Gerlich, as CEO of The Care Workers’ Charity, is a relentless advocate for the rights and well-being of care workers. With over 12 years of firsthand experience as a care worker and more than 8 years dedicated to advocacy in the field, Karolina tirelessly works for the recognition of care workers as skilled professionals and ensures they receive the support they deserve.
Her steadfast commitment embodies a dedication to improving the lives of those who care for others. Serving on multiple advisory boards and holding a position on the Leadership Board for the Impact Centre, Karolina continues to lead the charge for positive change within the care sector, leaving a lasting impact on the lives of countless individuals.
David Glover
Chief Executive Officer, Caremark Limited
David Glover, CEO of Caremark Limited, has played a pivotal role in the company’s growth and success over the past 12 years, including the last five as CEO. He has led a period of significant transformation, investment and operational excellence, delivering record network performance and strengthening Caremark’s position as one of the UK’s leading homecare franchisors. Under his leadership, Caremark has achieved record results, expanded its reach and earned prestigious accolades, including Franchisor of the Year. Passionate about people and quality care, David remains committed to supporting franchise partners and empowering teams to deliver exceptional outcomes for customers, colleagues and communities across the UK.
Kevin Humphrys
Chief Executive Officer, Oakland Care Group
Kevin Humphrys is CEO of Oakland Care Group, a family-owned West Sussex care provider. He built the Group’s “Glass Box” AI governance framework, keeping every AI-assisted decision transparent and human-led. Kevin gives talks and workshops, sharing his successes and lessons with peers. His AI work cut pre-admission documentation from four hours to thirty minutes. He’s introduced a career structure paying above Real Living Wage at every tier. A Director of West Sussex Partners in Care, he was Highly Commended in the South East Region at the 2025 Great British Care Awards and is a fourth-time Social Care Top 30 finalist.
Helena Jeffery
Founder Caring Homes Group, Caring Homes Group
Helena Jeffery established Caring Homes in 1994 with her son Paul, following a successful career as a registered nurse and as a nursing home manager. Her founding principles for the organisation were that every home operated by the company must be sustainable and successful but, above all, every resident should feel completely free to live life to the full. Those principles remain at the heart of the company which today manages 21 homes and supports around 1,000 residents each year. Helena’s belief that “if you get the care right the rest will follow” is as true today as it was 32 years ago.
Jim Kane
Chief Executive Officer, Community Integrated Care
Jim Kane is Chief Executive Officer at the national social care charity, Community Integrated Care. The charity works in the community, supporting over 2,700 people with a range of care needs and employs over 6,600 colleagues. Jim joined Community Integrated Care in December 2019, as Chief Financial Officer, before stepping into the CEO position in January 2023. A passionate advocate for the sector, Jim is a visible and trusted voice in the national conversation on social care – championing the workforce, calling for urgent reform and shining a light on the need for long-term, sustainable funding.
Andrea Kinkade
Chief Executive Officer, Lifeways Group
Andrea Kinkade has worked in social care for more than 15 years, predominantly supporting working-age adults with learning disabilities, autism, physical disabilities, acquired brain injuries and mental health conditions.
Since becoming CEO of Lifeways in 2022, she has led an ambitious transformation programme, strengthening regulatory compliance across 1,100 locations, driving digital innovation and preparing the organisation for growing demand across the sector. Under Andrea’s leadership, Lifeways continues to empower around 4,000 people to live fulfilling and independent lives through supported living, residential and mental health services across England, Scotland and Wales, while championing quality, innovation and person-centred.
Hayden Knight
Chief Executive Officer, Orchard Healthcare Group
Hayden Knight is Chief Executive Officer of Orchard Healthcare Group Group and brings more than 30 years of experience across dementia care, mental health services and specialist care. After studying Electrical Engineering at Loughborough University, a passion for supporting others led him to pursue a career in social care, driven by a commitment to dignity, compassion and person-centred support. He spent over two decades with Craegmoor and the Priory Group, progressing from frontline roles to Managing Director. Since joining Orchard in 2019, Hayden has championed people-focused cultures, meaningful engagement, positive risk-taking and emotional wellbeing. As a member of Care England’s Policy Board, he continues to advocate for a sustainable, compassionate and forward-thinking social care sector.
Andrew Knight
Chief Executive Officer, Care UK
Andrew Knight is a focused, empathetic and inspiring leader and, since joining Care UK in 2014, has helped cement their status as one of the UK’s leading care providers for older people. Everyone at Care UK has a common goal: to provide safe and enabling environments in which residents are supported to lead fulfilling lives, and Andrew embodies that ethos every day. He has over 20 years of experience in senior management positions, including at Weight Watchers UK, Punch Taverns, Spirit Group, and Allied Domecq in addition to holding a non-executive position with the NHS.
Rob Martin
Chief Executive Officer, Signature Senior Lifestyle
Rob joined Anchor in October 2013 as a member of the senior leadership team and was subsequently appointed to the Executive team in February 2021. He is responsible for all registered care services and is the “Nominated Individual” with the Care Quality Commission.
Rob has worked in social care since 2001, one of his first roles being a Registered Manager in the North-West of England. Before that, Rob served in the Armed Forces for almost seven years, where he developed many of the skills that he continues to apply today.
He has also gained 7 years board experience as a non-executive director, is currently a Board Member with the National Care Forum, an Ambassador for Championing Social Care, and the winner of the most influential leader in Social Care by Care Talk Magazine.
Announced earlier in the year, Rob will join Signature Senior Lifestyle as their CEO in November.
Joe O’Connor
Chief Executive Officer, Elysium Healthcare
Joe O’Connor is CEO of Elysium Healthcare, one of the UK’s most significant independent sector providers of complex care services for both working age adults and children. Joe is also a member of the global management team of Ramsay Health Care, Elysium’s owner. Prior to joining Elysium in January 2026, Joe was CEO of Four Seasons Health Care Group from 2022 to 2025. He has also served on the policy board of Care England since 2022 and, before becoming a CEO, he was a senior partner in both EY and AlixPartners leading their Health & Social Care sector teams.
Jenny Pattinson
Chief Executive Officer, Nightingale Hammerson
Jenny is the Chief Executive Officer of Nightingale Hammerson, a Charity that provides outstanding Residential, Nursing, Dementia and end of life care to around 250 older people across their Nursing Homes in London. With 17 years’ leadership experience in Adult Social Care, 11 of which were at a senior level with the Care Quality Commission, Jenny is passionate about ensuring every person living in Care Homes experience the best quality of life possible.
In her personal life Jenny dedicates her time and energy to ensuring the voices of vulnerable people are heard at a local level. She is an elected Councillor, responsible for the Housing and Well-being Portfolio. She chairs the steering group for Dementia Friendly Watford, Aging Well Watford and the Health and Well-Being Forum, and has been instrumental in seeing Watford recognised as an Ageing Well community by the World Health organisation.
Rachel Peacock
Chief Executive Officer, Making Space
Rachel joined Making Space in 2013 as Executive Director of Development, becoming Chief Executive Officer in 2017. She has 30 years of voluntary and community sector experience spanning community development, grant-making, commissioning, service management and business development. Rachel holds a BA (Hons) in English and History and an Executive MBA from Liverpool John Moores University. Passionate about education and lifelong learning, she champions innovation in social care, creating environments where people feel they truly belong. Rachel is particularly committed to co-production and collaboration, ensuring people who draw on support help shape meaningful, sustainable solutions that make a difference to their lives.
Virginia Perkins
Chief Executive Officer, Hesley Group
Virginia Perkins has served as Chief Executive Officer of Hesley Group since August 2024, leading a specialist provider supporting people with learning disabilities, autism and intensive support needs. With more than 30 years’ experience across health, social care and education, Virginia is passionate about creating supportive, high-performing cultures and enabling better lives. Her leadership is focused on quality, person-centred support, continuous improvement and developing services that respond to individual need. She believes the best outcomes are achieved by empowering colleagues to work together, enabling the people we support to live fulfilling, purposeful and increasingly independent lives.
Ian Pritchard
Chief Executive Officer, Alternative Futures Group
Ian Pritchard brings more than three decades of experience in health and social care and is widely recognised as an innovative, strategic, and commercially astute leader.
Since becoming Chief Executive Officer of the Northwest charity Alternative Futures Group (AFG) in 2019, Ian has led a successful turnaround strategy alongside his executive team – strengthening workforce engagement, raising service quality and restoring the organisation to consistent, sustainable surplus.
This has enabled AFG to reinvest significantly in pay for its workforce, service development, quality enhancements and assistive technology to improve the lives of the people it supports.
Isaac Samuel OBE, Co-Chair, Think Local Act Personal
Isaac Samuels OBE is a social care leader, lived experience advocate and co-production specialist committed to creating a fairer, more inclusive social care system. Their work spans social care, health, research and communities, bringing people with lived experience into spaces where decisions are made and challenging systems to share power differently. Isaac has influenced national policy and practice, championing co-production, equity, anti-racism, human rights and personalised care. Their leadership is grounded in relationships, collaboration and the belief that people who draw on care and support should have genuine power, choice and control over their lives and the services and systems that affect them.
Vishal Shah
Managing Director, Banyan Care Group
Vishal Shah, CFA, is a health and social care entrepreneur with over two decades of experience across care, property, technology and investment. He is Founder of Banyan Care Group and Banyan Venture Partners, developing innovative platforms across health, social care, longevity and healthtech. Vishal has built and scaled multi-site care businesses, advised private equity funds, family offices and digital health ventures, and led major transformation programmes. He serves as Chair of Championing Social Care, Trustee and Treasurer of Care England, and Board Advisor to Log my Care and Ayla Care. A CFA Charterholder and graduate of UMIST, Vishal specialises in strategy, finance, investment, operations, digital transformation and entrepreneurship.
Darren Stapelberg
Chief Executive Officer, Grosvenor Health & Social Care
Darren is Group CEO of Grosvenor Health & Social Care, one of the largest providers of homecare services, operating in over 130 Local Authorities throughout the UK. With over 27 years’ experience in Health and Social Care, Darren joined Grosvenor in 2008 before taking over as CEO with responsibility for Group management and Strategy in 2018. Darren has experience in various operations and financial roles with a credible and successful track record in growing and developing health and social care companies, both organically and by acquisition, while consistently delivering high quality services.