Board Members elected at Homecare Association

Members have elected nine Non-Executive Directors to the Board of the Homecare Association. Four are existing Non-Executive Directors, re-elected by members for another term. Five are new to the board. They represent a diverse range of providers and geographies across the homecare sector.

The Association's board now has 14 elected Non-Executive Directors and 2 appointed Executive Directors.

The Homecare Association's membership elected these board members at their annual general meeting, which was held online on 6 October 2026.

Band 1 (representing members in England with 1-3 branches) 

• Ben Wicks, Chief Executive Officer, Butterfly Care (newly elected) 

• Caroline Southgate, Managing Director, Doris Jones Ltd (re-elected) 

• Muhammad Damji, Managing Director, Caring Crew (re-elected) 

• Tim Wilson, Managing Director, Assist Care Group (re-elected)

Band 3 (representing members in England with 21+ branches) 

• Michelle Begley, Communications and International Expansion Director, Home Instead (newly elected) 

• Wendy McCall, Managing Director, CCH Group (newly elected) 

Scotland 

• Lynn Laughland MBE, Chief Executive Officer, HRM Homecare Services Ltd (newly elected)

Wales 

• Nancy Cross, Director, Gofal Ystwyth Care (re-elected) 

Northern Ireland 

• Jo Browne, Director of Care Services, Optimum Care Group (newly elected) 

Congratulations to everyone elected after tough competition from a highly capable group of nominees.

Standing down from the board, with the Association’s deep gratitude for their work and support for the Homecare Association, are:

• Martin Ross, Director of Care at Home, Care South 

• Carolanne Mainland, Operations Manager, Home Care Scotland 

Election of Officers 

At a meeting on 21 October 2026, the board of directors nominated and elected candidates for officer positions:

• Chair – Sharon Lowrie, Chief Executive Officer, Be Caring 

• Vice Chair – Camille Leavold MBE, Managing Director, Abbots Care 

• Treasurer – John Rennison, Owner and CEO, 1st Homecare 

• Honorary Secretary – Katie Wordley, Chief Operating Officer, Eleanor Care

We thank the individuals who held officer positions in the previous year:

• Chair – Sharon Lowrie, Chief Executive Officer, Be Caring  

• Vice Chair – Camille Leavold MBE, Managing Director, Abbots Care  

• Treasurer – John Rennison, Owner and CEO, 1st Homecare  

• Honorary Secretary – Martin Ross, Director of Care at Home, Care South 

Homecare Association’s Chair, Sharon Lowrie, said:

“I am honoured to have been reappointed as Chair of the Homecare Association for a second year at a defining moment for social care. The Government has set out its ambition for a National Care Service that starts in the home. Recent political statements have also shown why strong, informed representation for homecare providers is more important than ever. 

Homecare is essential economic and health infrastructure. It enables older and disabled people to live well at home, supports families and unpaid carers, creates jobs in every community and helps the NHS move care out of hospitals. The experience of the people who provide this support must be heard wherever decisions are being made about the future of care. 

A strong, independent and representative voice matters because no individual provider can make the whole-sector case alone. The Homecare Association brings together organisations of every size, type and geography. We translate their experience into evidence and ensure homecare providers are represented with government, the NHS, commissioners, regulators and the media. 

I warmly welcome Ben, Michelle, Wendy, Lynn and Jo to the Board, and congratulate Caroline, Muhammad, Tim and Nancy on their re-election. Their breadth of experience will strengthen our governance and help ensure that the Association’s priorities continue to reflect the needs of members across the United Kingdom. I also thank Martin and Carolanne for the time, expertise and commitment they have given to the Association. 

The Government’s ambition creates a genuine opportunity for care at home. To realise it, the future system must give people real choice and control, change commissioning so that it focuses on meeting needs and achieving outcomes rather than measuring minutes, invest adequately in the workforce and quality, and provide effective assurance so people can trust the care they receive. 

We will engage constructively with government and partners, while continuing to be clear about what successful change requires. Homecare must not simply be consulted after decisions have been made. Providers, care workers and the people who draw on care must have a meaningful voice in shaping the system from the outset.”