Tech Innovation in Homecare Conference 2026

Dr Jane Townson OBE

Chief Executive, Homecare Association

Jane Townson is CEO of the Homecare Association. She has extensive experience in the social care, health, housing and technology sectors. Chair of the Board of Kraydel; formerly CEO Somerset Care Group; and Chairman YourLife (JV with McCarthy & Stone). Jane’s first career was in international leadership roles in research and development in ICI, AstraZeneca and Syngenta, where she was Global Head of Bioscience Research. She then established her own business providing consultancy and training on the link between lifestyle factors and public health, working with private individuals and public sector organisations.

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Lee Gilbert

Chief Marketing Officer, Nourish Care

Lee is Chief Marketing Officer at Nourish Care, a digital long-term care planning platform that puts the person at the centre. She has spent the past five years working in healthcare technology across the UK and North America. Over a career spanning more than 25 years, Lee has built and grown innovative businesses, particularly in areas where needs have been underserved. Her work sits at the intersection of technology, health, social care and education, driven by curiosity, a desire to challenge the status quo and a commitment to measurable social impact. Her focus is simple: better commissioning, better systems and a louder voice for the person receiving care.

Ben Pumphrey

Legal Director, Anthony Collins Solicitors

As head of data governance, Ben specialises in data protection law, privacy and cybersecurity. With over a decade of experience as a solicitor, Ben advises public and private sector clients on a broad range of data governance and privacy-related issues, including data breach responses, cyber risk and compliance with both UK and international privacy laws.

Ben’s practice has encompassed advising a range of organisations on their data protection obligations, from global corporates to third-sector and charitable organisations. Ben has particular expertise in healthcare and local government. He regularly advises health and social care providers and NHS Trusts on their data governance programmes, privacy and AI risk assessments and cross-border data transfer issues. His work also includes responding to freedom of information requests, and he has supported clients in embedding robust data terms into commercial agreements.

Ben provides insights on digital health and the impact of AI on healthcare data and having been a trustee for a third-sector organisation, he has a deep understanding of the not-for-profit sector. He’s passionate about using his expertise to deliver socially impactful outcomes and help clients navigate the evolving legal landscape around data and technology.

Katie Thorn

Director of Innovation, Digital Care Hub

Katie is the Director of Innovation for the Digital Care Hub. She has played a significant role in advocating for and implementing digital solutions in social care and is the co-convener of the AI in Care Alliance.

Her work focuses on ensuring that digital innovations in social care are used ethically and effectively.

Her background includes working in nursing homes as both a carer and in operations. For the past decade she has worked on national digitisation programmes focussed on front line adult social care in the UK and interoperability between the NHS and social care.

Katie is a member of the UK Caldicott Guardian Council and sits on several academic advisory boards focussing on adult social care digitisation.

Katie has been recognised for her work supporting care providers by receiving The Woman in Tech award at the Women Achieving Greatness in Social Care (WAGS) awards (2022) and the NHS England Award in the Public Service Category of the National Cyber Awards (2023).