Our Team
Board
Members
Peter Little
Chair
Peter is a former CEO in the Telecoms industry, with over 30 years’ experience at Board level. He has been involved in business start-ups and turnarounds, has run his own Consultancy company and was previously a Non-Executive Director with North Essex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and Southend University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.
Peter has also been a Governor on the South Essex College Board and resides in Thorpe Bay.
Peter Thompson
Managing Director
Peter has worked in social care, housing, and health settings for over 30 years. Starting his career in Essex as a qualified Social Worker, he has worked in a range of local authority and independent provider organisations, and for more than 20 years at Director level. He has worked for several regional provider organisations and was Group Director of Care at Outlook Care, and Chief Executive at MCCH (now Choice Support). More recently Peter has been working within the quality team at Southend City Council.
Stephen Unsworth
Director of Operations
Stephen has over 20 years experience in Executive and Senior Management roles across Health, Social Care and Provider Services.
His experience spans the NHS, Social Services and Private Equity, developing and leading teams of managers across a wide range of services for people.
He has extensive experience in progressing the transformation agenda, notably with Buckinghamshire County Council’s LATC and recently in London Boroughs with their Social Care Market Alternatives Agenda.
Stephen was born in Manchester and loves listening to Oasis and The Verve - though his Black Labrador ‘Alfie’ doesn’t !
Andrew Hughes
Non Executive Director
Andrew is Head of Care and Health Improvement Programme at the Local Government Association working collaboratively with local councils and the Department of Health on a range of health and social care issues. He is also the Non Executive Chairman of the Care and Support services for a major Housing Association. Andrew lives in Greenwich, London.
Amanda Sherlock
Non Executive Director
Amanda has many years experience in health and social care services and spent time working with the regulator CQC and its predecessor organisation CSCI. With a passion for quality and the empowerment of individuals who receive care and support, the opportunity to visit services and engage with people there is a key priority in the role as a NeD.
Amanda has been a NeD in NHS organisations and still sits on the Board of EPUT, she has Chaired Board quality committees and has a keen interest in mental health and services for people with a learning disability. Together with management and leadership experience in the health and social care sector, she retains her professional registration as an Occupational Therapist. Originally from Yorkshire but having lived in West Essex for over 25 years, in her free time she enjoys the beauty of Epping Forest alongside her Border Terrier or going to musicals and pretending that she can sing and dance!
Service Management
The team
Liz Farrell
Head of People
Liz is responsible for all aspects of HR, recruitment as well as overseeing the development of our new Learning Academy. Liz has over 20 years’ experience in HR and has worked in both private and public sector. Prior to Southend Care Liz worked at Southend City Council as an HR Service Manager and was involved in the creation of Southend Care Ltd and supported in a business partner capacity before joining on a permanent basis in May 2022. During her free time Liz enjoys socialising with family and friends, and following Formula one.
Deborah Cox
CQC Registered Manager
Deborah came into the care sector 6 years ago after seeing how “good “care made a difference to her grandmother when she was diagnosed with Dementia. She is passionate about delivering care centred on a person‘s individual needs, and being able to support them to remain in their own homes. Having worked within a Reablement Service and then a Domiciliary Service, she has seen how both can have a positive impact on someone’s Mental and Physical Health. Deborah has a large family, and it goes without saying that they are very important to her, and when she is not at work she likes to spend time with them. She loves to cook for the crowd and when the sun comes out she loves the outdoor living and can do a mean BBQ.
Jennie Andrews
CQC Registered Manager
Jennie has been part of the Shared Lives service since it began in 2005 and was involved in developing and establishing the scheme. She has worked in learning disability services for over 24 years and lives in the Southend area.
Joan Constable
CQC Registered Manager
Joan has considerable experience in health and social care. She has been a Registered Manager for 18 years and instrumental in developing the service at Spencer House. Joan came into the care sector after seeing the difference that could be made when her own father needed help. In her spare time, Joan enjoys crafts, especially sewing.
Sharon Needham
Service Manager of Making it Work and Project 49
Sharon has worked in the care sector for over 36 years. Starting in the private sector, she has also worked for several local borough councils. Sharon began managing the Making it Work service in 2017 and has been instrumental in shaping it. Sharon now also manages Project 49 which is our day opportunities service for people with learning disabilities. She enjoys visiting historical buildings, watching rugby, cooking, and especially values spending time with her family.
