I started my catering life at 15 and was trained by the Olympic team of chefs, whilst also attending college to achieve my qualifications of City & Guilds 705 706/1 706/2, NVQ 3.

Having worked in catering outlets from five star hotels to pubs I eventually came to work in the care sector where so many doors have opened for me. Through the good home cooked food I’ve served at Care South I’ve trained to be an NVQ assessor and internal verifier, met Royalty and helped design the new care homes’ kitchens.

In 2007 I represented Care South in the Care Awards Chef of the Year competition and was honoured to be chosen the overall winner.

Prior to joining the organisation I had worked in numerous residential and dual registered homes. I realised that I wanted to pursue a career in care and develop professionally. Care South enabled me to achieve this due to their excellent training opportunities.

I have worked for the organisation for nearly 15 years and have gained professional qualifications throughout this time, thus enabling me to progress. I successfully managed three of Care South’s 20 residential homes in the nine years that I was a registered manager, prior to obtaining the post of Care Services Manager in March 2008.

I now provide Home Managers with support and guidance in order that they and their team of staff can continue to deliver a high standard of quality care.

I joined Care South at 19 having helped my Nan to stay at home since I was 12. My first position was a Domiciliary Care Assistant in Somerset.

After a couple of months I was successful in becoming a Home Care Administrator and soon progressed to a Home Care Organiser. While in this post I helped with the set up of our Devon office.

My next role was Care Staff Supervisor. I started the Recruitment Pilot which looked at how to best recruit and retain staff. The scheme became so successful that the Somerset office created a permanent position for me.

I have achieved various qualifications, including NVQs in Health and Social Care, Safe Handling of Medication, and Moving and Handling Risk Assessment Trainer.

I was appointed to this role in May 2010 having come from a nursing and managerial background.

I began my career in a nursing home before starting nurse training at the age of 19. On qualifying I joined the staff at St James Hospital in Leeds, eventually working in Surgical and Intensive Care wards. Since moving to Wiltshire in 2000 I have combined agency work with roles as Matron and Nurse Manager in nursing homes, and my appointment with Care South has been my first permanent role.

The office here is relatively new, so I will be concentrating on growing the business and building the team, while maintaining the level of service and the reputation of Care South.