Carewatch appoints new Chairman
Carewatch, the UK’s largest independent national provider of home care and assisted living services, has appointed Steve Ashton as Chairman.
Mr Ashton was formerly Chairman, Chief Executive, COO and Finance Director of several business units within SAGA and the AA, each involved in the provision of consumer services to primarily older customers. Previous roles have included Corporate Strategy and Finance Director at Marks & Spencer Ventures.
Founded in 1993, Carewatch is an experienced provider of services to individuals and families who need care and support to remain independent in their own homes, including domestic services for the elderly to intensive and complex care packages. It also provides services in the home to individuals with learning disabilities and mental health problems.
The company operates a network of 51 company-owned branches and 98 franchise partner branches, providing approximately 200,000 hours of care each week to over 25,000 service users.
In the last 12 months, Carewatch has added a total of 20 branches to its network taking total group network turnover to ÂŁ140 million in 2011.
Commenting on the appointment, Mr Ashton said: “I’ve hugely been impressed by the management team led by CEO Phil Pegler, Carewatch’s commitment to care quality standards and its ability to meet a diverse range of needs across the sector.
“There is an increasing need for assisted living services in the home and Carewatch has significant opportunities for continued organic and acquisitive growth. I look forward to supporting Phil and his management team in further building the business’ scale and reputation for excellence.”
Phil Pegler, CEO of Carewatch, said: “Steve is a proven operator in the UK services sector having held a range of senior positions with some of the leading brands and providers with particular focus on the older customer. He adds significant strength to the team as we continue our expansion in new services and territories.
He added: “The health and social care market in the UK continues to grow despite constraints on government funding. Carewatch is ideally placed to provide the value, care standards and flexibility to meet those demands, while addressing the government’s care agenda of personal choice and dignity.”
The company is owned by its management team and funds managed by Lyceum Capital.