Growing social care provider membership organisation the Independent Care Group (ICG) has announced two key new appointments as it looks to expand further in the future: Lisa Pickard, the new chief executive, is joined by Beverley Proctor as operations director.
Pickard says: “I’m delighted to be joining the Independent Care Group at a pivotal time for social care in the UK. I am looking forward to building on the group’s excellent reputation and strong partnerships and taking the organisation into the future.
"Social care is experiencing unprecedented challenges and it is vital that providers have a strong voice to fight for a better future for them and, of course, the many millions of people who receive and benefit from care.”
For the past six years Lisa has been chief executive at Leeds and Yorkshire Housing Association, where she has been responsible for strategic leadership, growth, operational management and delivery, and innovation in the provision of new homes and services.
Prior to that she had built up an impressive record of success in a number of roles, mainly in the housing sector, where she demonstrated the type of vision, leadership and capability that the group is seeking.
Proctor is joining the ICG on a two-year secondment from York NHS Trust. A registered nurse, she has been in healthcare and held a number of posts, since 1993. Since 2017 she has been operational manager (Integrated Discharge Liaison Team) with the trust and prior to that was community services manager/assistant director of nursing (Scarborough, Ryedale, York & Selby).
Group chair, Mike Padgham says: “We are delighted with these two exciting appointments which will help us to move the ICG forward.
“Lisa joins us with an outstanding track record of achievement and I am sure she will prove to be a great asset to the Independent Care Group. Beverley has tremendous experience within the sector and again, will be a wonderful addition to the team. They take up their new posts at a challenging but exciting time for health and social care.
“The Independent Care Group has established itself as a strong voice for social care providers and for the social care sector. As we go forward we want to increase our profile and grow our membership. These new appointments will help us to achieve that aim.”
Both appointments have the backing of North Yorkshire County and City of York councils, who have also supported the secondment, in partnership with the York NHS Trust.
Padgham adds: “We are indebted to both authorities for their pro-active support in helping the Independent Care Group to make these two appointments and indeed for all their support. We work in partnership with them to further the delivery of social care across the region.”
Martin Farran, corporate director of health, housing and adult social care with City of York Council, says: “We are happy to support the Independent Care Group as it looks to strengthen its management team for the future and look forward to working with Lisa and Rebecca in the years to come.”
Richard Webb, corporate director, Health and Adult Social Services with North Yorkshire County Council, says: “We have an excellent working relationship with the Independent Care Group over the delivery of care in this region and were pleased to help with this exciting step forward for them.”
Pickard will replace Keren Wilson, who has been chief executive since 2004.
Padgham adds “We will be forever indebted to Keren, who has been a superb chief executive for the group these past 14 years. She will be a tough act to follow and we thank her and wish her well for the future.”
Pictured: Beverley Proctor (right) and Lisa Pickard.
