Be Caring chief executive officer Sharon Lowrie has been reappointed as chair of the Homecare Association.

At a meeting yesterday (21 October), the board of directors nominated and elected candidates for positions of chair, vice chair, treasurer and honorary secretary. As well as Lowrie being reappointed, Camille Leavold, managing director of Abbots Care, and John Rennison, CEO of 1st Homecare, were also reappointed to vice chair and treasurer respectively.

Martin Ross, director of care at home at Care South, replaces Katie Wordley, chief operating officer at Eleanor Care, as honorary secretary.

‘I am honoured to have been reappointed as chair of the Homecare Association for a second year at a defining moment for social care,’ said Lowrie. ‘The government has set out its ambition for a National Care Service that starts in the home. Recent political statements have also shown why strong, informed representation for homecare providers is more important than ever.’

Homecare Association members also elected nine non-executive directors to its board. Four were re-elected and five are new to the board. The association’s board has 14 elected non-executive directors and two appointed executive directors.

Lowrie featured in the September edition of Care Markets, where she discussed business turnaround, building a digital platform, and what the Casey Commission needs to deliver.

Barchester’s Charitable Foundation has appointed Claire Armstrong as a trustee to its board.

Armstrong is an executive coach and her career spans more than 30 years of leadership across health, social care and public services.

During 24 years at the Department of Health and Social Care, she held a number of senior leadership roles, including director of adult social care. In this role, she led national policy and delivery to strengthen adult social care data and insight, sector-wide assurance and operational resilience across England.

Following her public sector career, she established Claire Armstrong Coaching, an executive coaching practice supporting leaders across charitable, social impact and public sector organisations to lead through uncertainty and deliver meaningful change.

Simon McCall, chair of Barchester’s Charitable Foundation and Barchester’s Healthcare’s commercial director, said: ‘We are delighted to welcome Claire onto the Barchester Foundation board. We are excited to have her join us and we are certain that her experience and expertise gained throughout her career will be hugely beneficial in helping us shape the Foundation’s future.’

Established in 2000, the aim of the foundation is to help older people and adults living with a disability or a mental health condition in local communities across the country. The charity provides grants to improve mobility and quality of life, and each year the foundation distributes money to individuals, small community groups and charities across England, Scotland and Wales.

Strong Life Care has strengthened its leadership and operational teams as part of its next phase of expansion.

Rob Hunt has been appointed as regional manager, leading a new region for the organisation, and Aysha Saddique as the group’s first procurement lead. Further appointments in its finance team will support the wider business.

Hunt joins with experience from across social care, quality management and operational leadership, having previously worked for Kara Healthcare, Ambient Support, and Sanctuary Group. His background includes quality assurance, audits, staff development and implementing safe working practices in line with Care Quality Commission standards.

Saddique’s appointment marks an important step in developing the group’s procurement function. Bringing experience across property development, healthcare and operational support, she will focus on strategic purchasing, contract negotiation, supplier relationships and procurement processes. Her role will help strengthen the systems and partnerships needed to support a larger organisation, while identifying efficiencies and making sure resources are used effectively.

‘We have big ambitions for Strong Life Care but achieving them is about much more than acquiring care homes. It is about bringing the right people into the business, giving them the support and resources they need, and building an organisation that can grow sustainably without losing sight of what matters most,’ said Harpreet Banwait, founder and chair of Strong Life Care.

‘We are investing ahead of growth because we want to get the foundations right. Our ambition is to build the UK’s biggest, best and most trusted care brand, and that means combining commercial strength with excellent care, strong leadership and a genuine commitment to our people and the communities we serve.’

Strong Life Care has continued to expand its portfolio across Yorkshire and beyond, with its growth strategy focused on investing in established care homes. As reported last month, it acquired four homes across Yorkshire.

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Hesley Group has invested more than £3m across its specialist care, supported living and education services.

Over the past year, it has invested more than £1m in new developments and a further £2m into existing estates. The investment strengthens its services for people with learning disabilities and intensive specialist support needs, many of whom are autistic.

Among the developments is Mercury Rise, comprising eight individual supported living flats, with access to education at Mercury College. It is also investing in the specialist college for young adults aged 18–25. At Meadow View, five additional solo bungalows are due to open in November, providing people with their own space while expanding specialist residential provision. All three settings are in Doncaster, South Yorkshire.

The provider has also opened its first neighbourhood health and wellbeing centre at Meadow View, creating a healthcare environment where people can build the confidence and skills needed to access health services. Designed to replicate a community health centre, the facility includes a waiting area, information stations and consulting rooms, helping people build confidence and independence when attending appointments.

Alongside the new facilities, Hesley has invested in its existing services, including the installation and improvement of 22 kitchens and 23 bathrooms, helping environments remain fit for purpose.

‘We are committed to creating high-quality environments that help the people we support live fulfilling, independent and meaningful lives,’ said Virginia Perkins, chief executive officer at Hesley Group.

‘This investment reflects our ongoing commitment to delivering outstanding care, support and education in environments that are designed around the needs of the individual. Through continued investment in our facilities and estates, we are creating more opportunities for people to develop confidence, independence and the skills they need to thrive.’

Established in 1975, Hesley Group provides integrated residential services, supported living and specialist further education supported by in-house clinical leadership and multidisciplinary teams.

Hallmark Luxury Care Homes has started construction work on a £43m setting in Chigwell, Essex.

Designed with a focus on holistic wellbeing, the care home will offer specialist health, wellness and lifestyle facilities, including physiotherapy services, a tai chi deck, sensory gardens, and a hydrotherapy pool.

At the heart of the 110-bed home will be a wellbeing suite, bringing together the hydrotherapy pool, gym and therapy room, supported by an in-house physiotherapy service. The facilities will be designed to support residents’ mobility, rehabilitation, strength and independence.

A café, hair salon, cinema and ice cream parlour will provide spaces for residents to socialise and spend time with family and friends. A general store will offer everyday essentials alongside luxury items.

The home, which will provide residential, dementia and nursing care, will also offer The Residences, a collection of 15 fully furnished suites. Designed for people wanting an independent lifestyle with support on hand if needed, each suite will have its own living area, kitchenette, and en suite bathroom. Concierge services, a local car service, home delivery and access to the wider facilities within the home, will also be available.

Outside, gardens will offer relaxation, connection, and activity. Its sensory garden will feature planting designed to engage the senses, alongside an area for tai chi and spaces for outdoor seated exercise.

The start of construction was marked by a ground-breaking event, where Hallmark’s chief executive officer, chair and directors were joined by members of the construction team.

‘We believe great care is about creating an environment where wellbeing, independence and quality of life are part of everyday living,’ said Nye Brown, Hallmark Luxury Care Homes CEO.

‘From the hydrotherapy pool and in-house physiotherapy service to the gardens and community spaces, every element has been thoughtfully designed around a life well lived, giving residents more opportunities to stay active, build meaningful connections and continue enjoying the things that matter most to them.

‘We are delighted to be bringing our award-winning approach to care to the local area and look forward to becoming part of the community.’

The development, which is being built by Kori Construction, will be Hallmark’s fourth care home in Essex and is scheduled to open in 2028.

Brunelcare has appointed Bruce Moore as its chair of trustees, effective from 1 November.

He succeeds Graham Russell, who has held the position since July 2023 and is stepping down for health reasons.

Moore is chief executive officer of Housing 21, a not-for-profit provider of retirement living and extra care housing, a position he has held since 2013. His experience in the housing sector also includes previous roles as CEO of Hanover Housing Group, CEO of Wolverhampton Homes and deputy CEO of Anchor Trust. He has also held board positions at several housing associations and charities.

He previously served as a trustee of Brunlecare almost two decades ago. ‘Having previously served as a trustee for the charity almost 20 years ago, I am looking forward to returning in this new role. I have long admired the work of Brunelcare and the positive difference it makes to the thousands of people it provides care and support for every day. I look forward to working closely with the board, executive team, and colleagues across Brunelcare to uphold its vision of later living that makes the most of every moment,’ Moore said.

He will work with Brunelcare’s leadership team to drive forward the charity’s strategy for 2024–2030. He joins as it embarks on a programme of investment in its homes. This work sits alongside efforts to strengthen the quality and environment of its care services.

One of his first priorities as chair will be to oversee the appointment of Brunelcare’s new permanent CEO. Sonia Furzland was appointed interim CEO in April, succeeding Oona Goldsworthy, who stepped down as CEO.

Brunelcare thanked Russell for his contribution. Russell added: ‘I have enjoyed working alongside such great colleagues and also involving residents as a really important voice in how we make better decisions together. I have witnessed first-hand how people working in every part of the organisation go above and beyond to truly make the most of every moment for the people they support. Being part of such a genuinely caring organisation where you can see the difference made each day has been a real pleasure.

‘Thank you so much for the support and kindness which has been shown to me, particularly when I shared the position regarding my health. I wish all the best to my successor Bruce and to all colleagues – make the most of every moment.’

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