BUTTONS - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Chief Commercial Officer
- Member of the Leadership Team
Adrian joined the group in 2016 and is experienced at a senior leadership level across a range of sectors delivering business growth and improvement as commercial, operations or finance director. Much of his career has been in FTSE 250 business and prior to joining the group was most recently focussed across adult social care, education and customer support.
Adrian is qualified as a Chartered Accountant and has a Masters degree in Engineering and Management from the University of Birmingham.
Job Titles:
- Group Professional Lead for Therapies
- in 2017 As the Lead Occupational Therapist
Ashleigh studied occupational therapy at Canterbury Christ Church University. Over the last 13 years, Ashleigh has worked for the NHS, local authorities, and private care settings, ranging from community, rehabilitation, psychiatric intensive care and acute mental health services.
Ashleigh joined Holybourne Hospital in 2017 as the lead occupational therapist, and has gone onto become the head of therapies and a member of the senior management team. Ashleigh is passionate about reducing restrictive practices in mental health services.
Ashleigh has always had a passion for mental health.
Babatunde's care career started in Nigeria where he attended the School of Nursing between 2009 and 2012. He qualified as a general nurse.
From 2013 to 2016 he worked in a polytechnic institute as a school nurse. His job was to attend to any emergency cases of students who were on site.
In 2015 to 2016 he went to the School of Psychiatric Nursing and then he became a mental health nurse. From there, he worked as a mental health nurse in a rehabilitation centre.
Babatunde then moved to United Arab Emirates where he was a registered nurse from 2018 to 2020. He mainly worked in the outpatient psychiatric department, but also worked in other departments too.
In 2020, Babatunde came to the UK because he wanted to experience something different. He joined Elysium Healthcare where he started as a staff nurse in a secure unit hospital. He worked there for 3 years. He then worked his way up to become deputy hospital director, before joining Active Care Group.
Job Titles:
- Lead Physiotherapist
- Lead Physiotherapist at Frenchay Brain Injury Rehabilitation Centre
Claire is the lead physiotherapist at Frenchay Brain Injury Rehabilitation Centre. After qualifying with her physiotherapy degree in 2007, and working in different settings, Claire quickly realised her passion was in neuro rehab and has subsequently worked in that area for the last 15 years. Claire's dedication for this patient group developed through her love of creative problem solving, team working and being a key part of a patient's rehab journey.
Claire is a supportive and proactive leader. She engages her team to strive for the best possible outcomes, promoting a holistic and patient centred approach.
Over the last 10 years working at Frenchay Brain Injury Rehabilitation Centre, Claire has developed highly specialist skills in neurological rehabilitation including complex neurological assessment, excellent clinical reasoning skills based on current evidence base, spasticity management, splinting/ serial casting, complex postural management, spinal cord injury management, hydrotherapy with neurological patients, kinesio taping for neurological patients, trache management and weaning, complex discharge planning, and working with patients in disorders of consciousness.
Claire is a very experienced moving and handling trainer and is one of the therapy representatives in the health and safety meetings.
Job Titles:
- Chief Information Officer
- Member of the Leadership Team
Dominic joined in 2023 and has spent 25 years working within IT, knowing the challenges of implementing new IT strategies across various industries. He understands the strategic function of IT and how to prove its value to the business, at scale. His unparalleled insight and first-hand experience of driving IT transformation is invaluable to our Group and to those in our care.
During the past 4 years Dom has gained experience working in the Healthcare sector, a sector he has thoroughly enjoyed working in. Dom's great passion is the use of focused and automated reporting to support business decisions and how this can be used to improve service user outcomes.
Job Titles:
- Consultant Clinical Neuropsychologist
Dr Tooze has always worked in neuropsychology with a particular focus on rehabilitation and the Mental Capacity Act. She completed her PhD in Birmingham, examining the cognitive effects of hormonal changes and radiotherapy treatment in patients treated for pituitary adenoma. Dr Tooze then trained in clinical psychology in Southampton before returning to Bristol to work at Frenchay Brain Injury Rehabilitation Centre. She then expanded her knowledge of the post brain injury rehabilitation pathway working in the Gloucestershire brain injury team, which covers the acute hospital wards through to community work.
Dr Tooze left this team in 2018 to lead a small neuropsychology team at the Sussex rehabilitation centre, a level 2a neurorehabilitation unit in Haywards Heath near Gatwick. In 2022, Dr Tooze moved to a temporary position at the Homerton level 1 regional neurological rehabilitation unit in London, and the acute stroke unit. This was a great opportunity to see how another level 1 neurorehabilitation unit undertakes patient care and rehabilitation, before Dr Tooze moved back here to Frenchay Brain Injury Rehabilitation Centre in January 2023 to lead the neuropsychology team.
Job Titles:
- Acting Neurorehabilitation Consultant
Dr SM Javaid transitioned from Locum Consultant to a Consultant in neurorehabilitation at the Frenchay Brain Injury Rehabilitation Centre in April 2022. Prior to this appointment, he had worked as a Locum Consultant in spinal injuries and neurorehabilitation in Salisbury and Inverness respectively.
He brings with him 18 years of experience in rehabilitation medicine, having previously worked in the UK, New Zealand and Australia at various settings across both metropolitan and regional areas. He has worked in general rehabilitation, brain injuries rehabilitation, spinal injuries rehabilitation, rheumatology and amputation rehabilitation in both training and middle grade posts in rehabilitation medicine in the UK and Australasia.
Job Titles:
- Chief Medical Officer
- Member of the Leadership Team
Amit joined the business in September 2022 and his roles include that of Responsible Officer and Caldicott Guardian. Prior to his appointment, Amit was the Clinical Director of Priory Group's Forensic Network and brings with him significant knowledge of the independent sector whilst establishing key relationships with external stakeholders.
Having graduated in medicine from King's College London, Amit completed his specialist training in psychiatry and forensic psychiatry on the South London and Maudsley training scheme. Having worked as a forensic psychiatrist within high, medium and low secure settings, he has also held senior consultant roles outside of the secure estate, leading teams within psychiatric intensive care, acute and, personality disorder settings, thus bringing a breadth of knowledge and expertise within complex care settings.
In 2021 he sat as a representative for the Kent, Surrey and Sussex Secure Provider Collaborative on the Women's Secure Clinical Reference Sub-Group (NHS England and NHS Improvement).
Job Titles:
- Lead Occupational Therapist and Head of Therapies
Jo qualified as an occupational therapist in 2002. She started working at Frenchay Brain Injury Rehabilitation Centre in 2004 and very quickly found her passion for working with this patient group.
During her 20 years at Frenchay Brain Injury Rehabilitation Centre, Jo has developed highly specialist knowledge and skills in neurorehabilitation and has continuously challenged herself to ensure she is a well-rounded holistic practitioner. She is a SMART accredited Prolonged Disorders of Consciousness (PDOC) assessor, a positive behaviour support coach, and is skilled in complex posture, seating, splinting, cognitive rehabilitation, upper limb rehabilitation, spasticity management, cognitive rehabilitation and visual rehabilitation. Jo has been instrumental in developing the discharge processes within the service and has created links with stakeholders from across the region to support this process.
Jo has contributed to the significant expansion and development of the specialist rehabilitation services delivered to the patients at Frenchay Brain Injury Rehabilitation Centre. In her role as lead occupational therapist and more recently as Head of Therapies, Jo constantly strives to achieve a gold standard service and has instilled her passion for complex rehabilitation within the team. Jo has a special interest in healthcare leadership and innovation, which has led her to undertake postgraduate studies in this area. She has enjoyed sharing her knowledge and skills in this area with the therapy team to develop the next generation of healthcare leaders.
Job Titles:
- Occupational Therapist
- Occupational Therapist at King 's Norton Hospital
Kaim Choudhry is our occupational therapist at King's Norton Hospital. Kaim has been an occupational therapist for three years. He…
Job Titles:
- Chief People Officer
- Member of the Leadership Team
Karen has recently joined the business in the role of Chief People Officer. Karen joined from The Priory Group where she fulfilled the role of Group HR Director…
Karen joined the business in 2021 with the role of Chief People Officer. Karen joined from The Priory Group where she fulfilled the role of Group HR Director. Karen also acts as a Governor at the Hammersmith Academy with particular focus on the Retention and Curriculum Committees.
Completing her degree at the University of Leicester in 2002 and becoming CIPD qualified in 2006, Karen has expanded her knowledge working in HR; in a range of advisory, management and senior positions. A strong leader, Karen boasts extensive experience in both integration and acquisitions.
After leaving school Katie worked for an insurance company. After deciding on her career path, Katie qualified as a registered adult nurse in 2009 having studied at UWE Bristol: University of the West of England.
Katie worked in neurosurgery as soon as she qualified, first at the old Frenchay Hospital site, before moving to the new site at Southmead Hospital. After working for some years as a senior staff nurse, during the covid-19 pandemic Katie undertook an opportunity to run the acute neurosurgical admissions ward as senior sister. After three and a half years, Katie joined Frenchay Brain Injury Rehabilitation Centre as Deputy Matron.
Job Titles:
- Chartered Management Accountant
- Chief Financial Officer
- Member of the Leadership Team
Katy became Chief Financial Officer at the start of 2020, having joined Active Care Group in 2018 as the Group Financial Controller. Her role is to lead the Finance, IT and Procurement functions of the organisation while driving performance and ensuring compliance.
As a Chartered Management Accountant Katy has held senior finance positions over the last 15 years with a particular focus on growing organisations both organically and through acquisition.
Having spent a period of her career within Corporate Development she focuses on delivering the organisation's strategy and maximising opportunities for growth.
Job Titles:
- Chief Executive Officer
- Member of the Leadership Team
Keith joined the business in 2023 and has had 20 years' experience working at a senior leadership level across the healthcare sector. Prior to joining, Keith was Chief Finance Officer of Elysium Healthcare for 4.5 years. Keith was pivotal in the success and growth of the business, where it went on to be acquired by global hospital group Ramsay Healthcare in January 2022.
Keith began his career in South Africa where he qualified as a Chartered Accountant.
He joined Netcare in Johannesburg where he led the acquisition of General Healthcare Group/BMI (now Circle) in 2006, winning South African Deal of the Year. Keith then took the opportunity to move to the UK as Group Financial Director of GHG until 2011.
Taking a break from the healthcare sector, Keith worked for Lebara Telecoms and Yodel. His passion for the healthcare sector saw him return. Spending time building a range of healthcare services companies, ranging from a GP services group to the 3rd largest dental chain in the UK, to one of the leading national healthcare agencies.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Leadership Team
- Director of Risk and Governance
Kevin joined the group in 2021 as Director of Risk and Governance. Kevin began his career as a mental health nurse and has extensive experience working in health and social care in a range of senior management roles. Having graduated with a Diploma in Management Studies from Middlesex University, Kevin continued his professional development by completing the NHS Company Secretaries Development Programme.
He has a detailed understanding and in-depth knowledge of NHS regulatory requirements and corporate governance having worked in the NHS as a Trust Company Secretary and prior to joining spent 3 years as the Director of Governance at the Priory Group. Kevin is also currently a CQC Specialist Advisor.
At the start of Matt's career, he decided to do his nursing training where he became really interested in mental health. He was trained at King's College London and did various placements including working in a national self-harm ward within the South London and Maudsley trust.
After a few years, Matt became a lead nurse for addictions, and later on for all of the specialist services across the organisation within South London and Maudsley. Matt then became assistant director of nursing across the trust and took a lead function in safeguarding children. While he worked in this role, he completed a master's in public administration.
Our new Service Manager at Bethany House and Bethany Lodge, Babatunde Ogunsanwo, tells us about his career background and experience,…
Michael began his career at Nottingham Brain Injury Rehabilitation Centre as an activity coordinator. During his role, Michael began working with occupational therapists. He was fascinated by the use of elements of psychology alongside practical interventions within a framework of function. Michael decided to retrain in occupational therapy at Derby University and left the company briefly to begin his occupational therapy practice.
Two years later, an occupational therapy role became available at Nottingham Brain Injury Rehabilitation Centre which Michael applied for and was successful.
Michael then worked his way up until an opportunity arose for the head of therapies role.
Job Titles:
- Speech and Language Therapist
Nick originally trained and worked as an actor, but he decided he wanted a fresh start in a new career. He thought about counselling and psychology but eventually chose speech and language therapy. He then studied speech and language therapy at De Montfort University in Leicester.
After his degree, Nick went to work in children's services in Leicester, but realised he wanted to work with adults as well. This led to his role as speech and language therapist at Nottingham Brain Injury Rehabilitation Centre where he has now been for seven years.
Nick Sobieraj is our speech and language therapist at our Nottingham Brain Injury Rehabilitation Centre. Nick trained and worked as…
Job Titles:
- Hospital Director
- Speech and Language Therapist
Osvaldo has a wealth of experience in the healthcare sector. He has worked in a range of senior management positions in both private and NHS sectors, in a career spanning 18 years, Osvaldo has developed strong working relationships with a range of external stakeholders including commissioners from the NHS and local authorities, as well as working with the Care Quality Commission inspections teams.
Osvaldo is an enthusiastic and dedicated hospital director.
Job Titles:
- Assistant
- Psychologist
- Service Manager
Rebecca started working within Health and Social Care in 2009 aged 18. Initially, she worked for several years within a support worker and care assistant capacity with a wide range of service users including people with a learning disability, autism, mental health diagnoses, physical disabilities, dementia, and older people.
In 2019, Rebecca graduated university and qualified as a Registered Mental Health Nurse. She then quickly progressed to working within management and has previously managed an Adult Mental Health Rehabilitation Unit and a Child and Adolescent Mental Health Inpatient service.
Over the years, Rebecca has developed a passion for working with autistic people and their families, which resulted in her undertaking a master's degree in Critical Autism Studies.
Rebecca is enthusiastic about driving forward service quality to ensure the people we support are provided with optimum care and opportunities that will improve their overall quality of life.
Job Titles:
- Deputy Matron
- Lead Occupational Therapist and Head of Therapies
Becky started in January 2022 as Deputy Matron at Frenchay Brain Injury Rehabilitation Centre. Her career started as a healthcare assistant at Frenchay in 2008, while completing her degree in adult nursing. Once she completed her degree, she went straight to work on an acute ward specialising in neurosurgery, looking after neuro high dependency patients. Becky continued to develop from staff nurse to senior staff nurse in 2013. In 2016, Becky was successfully recruited into a stroke nurse practitioner role, followed by a spinal specialist nurse which enhanced her skills and knowledge in these specialist areas. Becky's heart was always with neurosurgical and neurosciences patients, which led her back to ward nursing.
Job Titles:
- Assistant
- Psychologist
- Service Manager
Saffron became the service manager of Blackburn Road in 2021. Prior to this, Saffron had eight years' experience working in forensic mental health settings, such as secure hospitals and locked rehabilitation units. She also had four years' experience working in physical health settings such as NHS wards and neuro rehabilitation units.
Saffron qualified with a degree in occupational therapy, allowing her to focus on her passion of improving both the mental and physical health of the residents she works with, alongside promoting holistic care and engaging residents in positive activities to promote their independence.
Since qualifying Saffron has worked as part of a multidisciplinary team (MDT), in both mental and physical health settings.
Saffron has recently taken on the role of dual manager of Blackburn Road and Whalley Road, our adult mental health services in Lancashire. She is excited to lead both teams, as we continue to strive for excellence across the northwest mental health services.
Job Titles:
- Head of Nursing for Frenchay Brain Injury Rehabilitation Centre
- Hospital Director
For the first 10 years of her nursing career, Suzanne worked as a staff nurse then a senior staff nurse within the acute neurosurgical admissions ward. Here Suzanne expanded her knowledge and experience of neurosurgery and neurology, while learning leadership and management skills and completing credited modules in neurosciences for health and working with people experiencing mental health crisis.
In 2021, Suzanne joined Active Care Group as the Head of Nursing for Frenchay Brain Injury Rehabilitation Centre. Suzanne was thrilled to secure this position as it gave her more responsibility and accountability in the speciality of nursing she loves. In 2022, Suzanne became Hospital Director for Frenchay. Suzanne strives to ensure people have the highest level of service, care and outcomes, through collaboratively working with internal and external stakeholders. Suzanne is passionate about continually developing the service which is patient centred with solid foundations of what matters the most to patients, their families, and their lived experiences.