The People at LCA

LCA Board

Peter Hodkinson - Chairman 
Graeme Lee - Board Director
Charles Holdsworth - Board Director
David Hobman - Board Director 
Chris Ball - Board Director
Julie Brown - Board Director

Mary Spencer - Business Manager

Mary Spencer joins LCA from the field of Substance Misuse where she had a regional role as Area Director for a large Regional charity. She returned to work in Leeds in 1997 after leaving Further Education and her role as a Business Lecturer when she took up the role of  Regional Training and Development Manager for the Big Issue where she won a National Training Award.

Mary also worked for a period in management of supported accommodation and Tennancy Support. Mary bring a wealth of experience in tendering, contracting and performance management and welcomes the opportunity of championing the independent sector and older peoples services. She looks forward to the challenges ahead a will work with commissioners, providers and older citizens to seize opportunities within the sector.

LCA has always endevoured to work with its members to raise standards, improve quality and provide training and development opportunities within the sector. Mary aims to work alongside a supportive and knowledgeable Board of Directors to enable members to raise the bar even higher.

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:-

Graeme is Chairman of Springfield Healthcare Group Ltd that comprises of three companies; Springfield Care Services Ltd, Springfield Homecare Services Ltd and Definitive Training Ltd.  The group now employs over 500 people.

Springfield Care Services Ltd owns and operates Springfield Care Home in Garforth, Leeds, a 70 bed Carehome specialising in Dementia care.  The residential home has recently been refurbished to a high standard with all rooms en suite.  Building work has recently begun to create a specialist Dementia unit on three floors.  Each floor is specifically designed to create an excellent environment for clients suffering from Dementia.

Springfield Home Care Services Ltd is a large regional domiciliary care provider, across Yorkshire, providing Care Services with 7 Local Authorities in Hull, York, Leeds, Wakefield and North Yorkshire.

Definitive 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 facility.  Lincare Ltd including Belmont House was sold to Southern Cross Healthcare in September 2007.

Graeme is currently planning an 87 bed Care Home in the Seacroft Area of Leeds.  The project known as “Seacroft Grange” is in the heart of Seacroft by the old Village Green.  The Grange, a listed building formerly known as “Tottie Hall “ will form the hub of the new development.

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 15 years’ experience of managing people within the Springfield Group in addition to the 7 years he spent at Marks & Spencer in the 1990’s as a senior manager.

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.

Chris Ball - Board Director

Chris is Finance Director at Maria Mallaband Care Group, having joined in October 2008.  Before joining Maria Mallaband, Chris worked for 7 years as Finance Director and CEO of a language services business and during this time was involved in winning and negotiating contracts with many UK government departments and local authorities. 

Chris has a wife and 2 young children and lives in North Yorkshire. 

Being headquarted in Leeds, Maria Mallaband values strongly and work done by the LCA, for the benefit of all its members and Chris looks forward to contributing the continued success of the LCA.

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.