Meet the Team
Robin Sutton
Chair
More About Robin
Robin is a Non Executive Director of the Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust and is heavily involved as a provider of care services covering the spectrum from meals on wheels, day care, supported living and residential care.
Robin has enjoyed completing an Innovating in Healthcare program with Harvard University looking at smart phone applications in the field of dementia. He is Chair of Torbay Pharmaceuticals, a Director of the Trust’s subsidiary SDH Developments Limited, and a Board member of Health and Care Innovations LLP.
Robin has been involved with various providers in Devon since the formation of the Devon Care Kite Mark and a keen supporter of collaborative work across the care sector. Recently, he has been involved in discussing key issues with SWAST and providing a formal process that providers can access, and most recently involved with the framework for enhanced health in care homes with the NHS.
Louise Arnold
Director
More About Louise
Louise Arnold joined Peninsula Care Homes, a family company in 2005 and is now Managing Director. Owning 5 homes across Devon caring for over 200 people living in our homes and over 250 staff. Louise has been an active member of various organisations across Devon to share best practice which contributes to developing her own homes.
Louise attended University of Birmingham and Cranfield University and completed courses with Maria Montessori Institute Montessori for Dementia and Ageing and Dementia Care Matters which helps shape Peninsula’s approach within the homes.
Lucy Bull
Director & Communications Officer
More About Lucy
Lucy is returning to her roots in care, becoming a manager at Castle Grove Nursing Home at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. She was just completing an MSc in Nutrition, Physical Activity and Public Health at Bristol University when the 2020 March lockdown started, and her public health expertise became a useful tool! Lucy grew up in Devon, learning the ropes from her parents, who started Castle Grove, a “hotel with nurses" in 1984. Life after university led Lucy to a career in media, working for the BBC in Bristol for over a decade. She says that working in local radio used some of the same skills she learnt as a care assistant: “listening is a crucial skill - and sometimes you know that you are the first person that a listener has spoken to that day - it was vital that they felt heard, and it often led to some fascinating stories”.
Since returning to Devon, Lucy worked in education for five years as an Education Visits Co-ordinator and Press Officer. She embarked on the MSc in 2019 to enhance her knowledge and skillset and received a Distinction.
Geoffrey Cox
Director
More About Geoffrey
Geoffrey is the Managing Director of Southern Healthcare but prior to a career in Residential Care, Geoffrey was a practising Solicitor for 25 years. In 2008, Geoffrey became a Board member of the Registered Nursing Homes Assn and instigated formation of the Devon Care Providers Association which with others lobbied for Provider concerns. He then became a Provider representative to Devon County Council and to Devon Safeguarding Adults Board. In 2011 he became a member of a group which initiated 2 Judicial Reviews upon funding matters in Devon both in 2011 and 2012, which was a substantial and successful undertaking.
In 2012, he became a steering group member of the newly formed ‘Devon Care Kite Mark’ group which is a collaborative, existing to share, develop and promote best practice.
Geoffrey completed a Masters degree in Dementia studies at Stirling University in 2013 and has run circa 10 Devon Care conferences since 2011, which have been growing in impact each year, with significant key speakers.
MARK REED
Director
More About Mark
My name is Mark and for the past 20 years I’ve worked in social care. I have worked in crisis centres for Children & Young People with behavioural, emotional and social difficulties, in FE Colleges, Independent Specialist Colleges, and across adult social care services supporting adults with Physical Disabilities, Learning Disabilities, Mental Health Conditions and Forensic offending histories, and these roles have all been supporting some of the most unique, brilliant and complex individuals within the residential care sector.
I have spent time in every role from support worker, team leader, deputy manager, Registered Manager, Regional Manager and Regional Director. I’ve also worked as a trainer and NVQ Assessor for staff working across the South West with the elderly in residential and nursing homes, in acquired brain injury rehabilitation centres.
Away from work I enjoy the outdoors, and have done several marathons, and triathlons, but I certainly wouldn’t consider myself competitive and this has always been about the enjoyment of doing them. I love comedy and live music, playing pool and skittles and having as much time with my family (which is my wife, two children and our springer spaniel) as I can.
MARCUS LYWARD
Director
More About Marcus
Marcus Lyward has worked at management and owner/director levels within the care sector for over 30 years. Working primarily in dementia care settings with experience in working with mental health, alcohol dependant and learning disability clients.
He is currently a director and NI for Court House, a dementia home registered for 33. Marcus has also been on the steering group for the ‘Devon Care Kitemark’ supporting like-minded establishments to maintain and improve standards prior to the inception of DCHC.
MARGOT WHITTAKER
Director
More About Margot
Margot Whittaker is Southern Healthcare’s Director of Nursing and Compliance.
Margot has been involved with Southern Healthcare’s four nursing homes for the past eighteen years in a nursing career spanning four decades.
She is also a founder member of the steering group for the Devon Care Kite Mark Group.
Through the years, Margot has been heavily involved in ensuring and supporting excellence in care home management and compliance to meet the continual challenges of the Care Quality Commission regulations and expectations. She is devoted to raising standards in nursing care within all nursing homes.
Margot is currently developing an Adult Social Care Nurse Foundation Programme with the support of local colleges and universities. This unique scheme will involve training and support through a specific set of competencies needed to fulfil the increasingly complex role of nurses working in care homes.
“I am passionate about improving standards in Southern Healthcare’s four homes and throughout the sector. I firmly believe that the development of meaningful, quality relationships throughout the homes, the team and within the family groups are the key to ensuring a place where all can benefit from an enjoyable environment and a greater sense of wellbeing.”
Shrien Dewani
Director
More About Shrien
Shrien is a Director for Devon Care Homes Collaborative.
Lorna Turner
Sustainability Lead
More About Lorna
Lorna has over 25 years of experience in business development initially in the private sector, before moving on to work as a business advisor and consultant with social enterprises, co-operatives and ethical businesses. She is a co-owner and director of Court House Care Services (Devon) Ltd with her partner, Marcus Lyward. Court House is a 30 bed residential home based in Cullompton supporting elderly with dementia. She is also currently studying for a Masters in Sustainable Development.
Malcom Baker
Company Secretary
More About Malcom
I worked for NatWest for 37 years as a Senior Relationship Manager before taking a redundancy package and subsequently joining Morris Lane, where I have been working now for just over 5 years.
My role at Morris Lane is varied and includes marketing and new business. I am also the Treasurer for the Dorset Care Home Association, a Director and Treasurer of the Dorset Parent Infant Partnership (DorPIP), a local charity, and a non-executive Director of East Boro Housing Trust (a housing association and now part of the wider Aster Group).
In my spare time, I am a world ranked Real Tennis player and enjoy playing this, as well as tennis, cycling and following Weymouth FC and Manchester United.
Sara Small
Contract Manager DSPT
More About Sara
You may have seen me on various DSPT events, where I provide training, support and delivery for the DSPT contract.
I'm originally from Hertfordshire and moved to Devon in 2001. I've worked in admin and PA roles for over 15 years, over a variety of sectors - you name it I've done it! Most recently I did a lot of land agency and farming administration, partly because I also run the family business, rearing our own sustainable produce (we specialise in pedigree Dexter beef and Black Welsh Mountain sheep). I've really enjoyed learning about the impact of data security on the care sector (something I never thought I'd say!) as the DSPT programme is really very well put together.
When I'm not thinking about data security or farming, I'm ferrying my three Smalls to their various hockey/theatre/swimming lessons.
Family Small all share a passion for the outdoors, nature and the sea.
If you'd like to know more about DSPT please get in touch.
Michaela Cosway
Administrator
More About Michaela
I have always lived in Devon and am currently residing in Exeter with my three year old son. I attended Mount Saint Mary’s Convent School, followed by Saint Wilfrid’s School in Exeter and with a passion for literature, I later undertook an undergraduate and postgraduate degree in English at the University of Plymouth.
As an Administrator, my main responsibilities include maintaining the organisation’s membership database and assisting with the website, events, newsletters and social media. This position is an exciting opportunity and a welcome change in my career, as I have spent many years working in finance, primarily in law firms, as a Credit Controller.
In my spare time, I enjoy eating out, trips to the theatre, reading, music, travelling, walking, swimming, cycling and generally just being outdoors, spending time with my family and friends.
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