The People at LCA

LCA Board

Peter Hodkinson - Chairman 
Graeme Lee - Board Director
Charles Holdsworth - Board Director
David Hobman - Board Director
Paul Higgins - Board Director
Julie Brown - Board Director

Peter Hodkinson - Chairman

I am the Chairman of Leeds Care Association.  I was appointed Chairman for a second time in November 2006. I previously held the post from 1999 to 2003.

I am the Managing Director of Westward Care Ltd and have overall responsibility for the operational management and business development of the company.
I am currently leading the expansion and refurbishment of the care provision within the company, which already provides at Headingley Hall, close care apartments and residential care, and at Pennington Court, residential, nursing and Intermediate Care

I started my career in construction management but subsequently became a Building Control Surveyor with Leeds City Council where I worked for 13 years.

In 1995 I jointly founded Westward Care Ltd using my building management knowledge of creating and developing care homes in Leeds. In 1997 I become Managing Director.

My construction industry background and my management skills have been influenced and developed on the principles of sound project planning, development of processes and control, supported by effective team working to achieve objectives and outcomes.

I am a strategic thinker and influencer, who recognises the need to develop a competent team capable of sharing, being committed to and delivering the vision for the company. I value the working relationships within any team. Quality is a driver as are shared values, principles and ethical practice.
I apply the same principles to my Chairmanship of LCA.

In addition to being Chairman of Leeds Care Association, I have wider involvement within the Care Sector, being Director/Trustee of Skills for Care, the social cares sectors workforce development organisation.

 Graeme Lee- Board Director

Graeme has been a Director of the LCA since its creation as a “Not for profit” Limited company in 2002/03. He was Chairman of the LCA between 2004 and 2006. Graeme brings a diverse range of skills, knowledge and expertise to the Board:-

Chairman: Springfield Healthcare Group, that comprises of three Ltd Companies: Springfield Care Services Ltd, Springfield Home Care Services Ltd, and Springfield Training Ltd. The group now employs over 450 people.

Graeme has been Chairman of Springfield since 1994.

Springfield Care Services Ltd owns and operates Springfield Care Home in Garforth, Leeds, and is registered as a 55 bed Care Home specialising in Dementia Care.

Springfield Home Care Services Ltd is a large regional domiciliary care Provider, providing Care Services with 5 Local Authorities in Hull, York, Leeds, Wakefield and North Yorkshire.

Springfield Training Ltd delivers all the relevant training to the group companies as well as to external care providers. It is a recognised Training and assessment centre for NVQ qualifications.

Between March 2003 and September 2007, Graeme was the Chief Executive and Shareholder of Lincare Ltd, a new Company set up to design/ build and operate a new 100 bed specialist Care Home in Starbeck, Harrogate, called Belmont House. The Home was opened in November 2006; a modern, state of the art care facility. Lincare Ltd including Belmont House was sold to Southern Cross Healthcare for an undisclosed sum in September 2007.

The above illustrates the breadth of knowledge and expertise Graeme has of the Care sector as well as considerable general management skills. He has over 20 years experience of managing people, within the Springfield Group, in addition to the 7 years he spent at Marks and Spencer in the 90`s.

Charles Holdsworth- Board Director

I joined the Leeds Care Association Board in November 2006

I am the Finance Manager at Donisthorpe Hall and joined Donisthorpe in June 2001.

I am an accountant by profession and recently completed a part time MBA.

I have a keen interest in strategy, value for money and the use of innovation in enhancing the quality of operational performance

In my spare time I enjoy long distance running which allows me to raise money for various charities. I shall be doing the Great North Run again in October. I also teach Karate to children between the ages of 5 and 12.

I feel that Leeds Care Association is a strong advocate for its members when dealing with Leeds City Council.

In addition I feel that Leeds Care Association can aid its members to achieve overall excellence in service provision as evidenced by audit and benchmarking.

David Hobman - Board Director

Along with my wife Jackie and my daughter Nicola we own and manage The Hollies and St.Armands Court. 

My role is primarily in the maintenance of both homes, I therefore have extensive knowledge of all aspects of care home maintenance and specialist equipment suppliers.  I would be pleased to assist any member home with any requests.

Hobbies are centred around D.I.Y. and swimming to keep reasonably fit.

Paul Higgins - Board Director

Paul has been a Director of the LCA since 2005.

Paul is a Chartered Accountant, and worked in the accountng profession for 8 years with Ernst & Young. Since then he has had experience in retailing (three years with Asda) and business services (six years in the recruitment sector). Since January 2005, Paul has been the Finance Director of Maria Mallaband Care Group Ltd, which operates over 40 care homes across the UK, providing services to the elderly, and to adults with autism and learning disabilities.

Julie Brown - Board Director

I am relatively new to the care sector having bought my first nursing home in 2005. However, I have daily involvement in the running of our homes, which are all in the Leeds area.
 
My career began in economics and after a stint in law, I joined the Department of Health as a graduate trainee. Having gained experience in carrying bags for ministers I was let loose on staff management, policy development and NHS montoring. Areas I worked on included GP fundholding (implementing and dismantling), prescribing, mental health legislation, setting up the Medical Devices Agency, inequalities in health care, the Health of the Nation project, NHS statistics and  parliamentary assistance. 
 
Following a move back to Leeds and a short break with my children, I came into the care home sector. As a new beginner, I found the LCA invaluable providing a chance to meet others in the area and a place to discuss new developments.