WEDNESDAY 21 SEPTEMBER - The Blog is Back!

Dear Blog Readers,
Firstly my apologies for the break in blog activity over the summer. It has been a period of much activity and change at Somerset Care and my own life is turning upside down. Now it's time for a catch up as I count down to my departure.

After 10 wonderful years with the Group my time is drawing to a close and I am off to take up a new challenge in Australia as CEO of Southern Cross Care (South Australia and Northern Territories) based in Adelaide. It is a wonderful opportunity for me to round off my executive career in a new job leading a well established and highly respected company and taking it on as the present CEO retires after 14 very successful years at the helm.

It was a big decision to take to make this change but not really a difficult one. After 10 years it is time for a change of leadership for Somerset Care and it is always important for a CEO to leave in an orderly fashion and while one or two people are sorry to see him go. Staying beyond ones "sell by" date is definitely to be discouraged! I have absolute confidence in the very talented team of executives and managers who are very well placed to take Somerset Care Group forward on the next stage of it's journey. The past 10 years has been the best period of my career by far and I have loved the variety and interest that every day has brought. Above all I have enjoyed being part of a magnificent team of people who are all utterly committed to making a positive difference in the ways they support people through care, support and training. The Group enjoys a high reputation for the quality of it's services and this has been achieved by thousands of dedicated staff. It has been a real privilege for me to play a part in that success story. As you may imagine though I am now much looking forward to the adventure and challenges ahead.

The big news this week has been the announcement that Alyson Martin has been selected, after a national recruitment and rigorous selection process, to take on the role of Chief Executive. I could not be more delighted.

Alyson's appointment will, I know, be warmly welcomed throughout the Group. Hers is a wonderful story of progress through a full career in the social care sector from Care Assistant to CEO. She is an inspirational leader and I am absolutely confident that the Somerset Care Group will continue to grow and prosper under her leadership. I could not think of anyone better suited to taking on this role and I am absolutely delighted that the selection panel of our Non Executive Directors were unanimously of the same mind.

I will be departing at the end of October and will hope to see many managers and staff before I go. To those I don't see I would want to send very best wishes and a warm "thank you" for all you do and all you have done to make the Somerset Care Group successful. This is a very special organisation - people working for people - and making a real difference.