Amica Care employs more than 350 staff throughout the trust, including our support office team at Gatchell House. Our dedicated staff, no matter what role we undertake, are passionate about delivering the best service. We hold our trust values at the centre of everything we do.
Working at Gatchell House
Chief Executive Officer
Chief Executive Officer
Keren joined the trust in 2014, having held senior positions in leading not-for-profit organisations. She has been pivotal in leading quality improvement throughout her career.
Keren joined the trust as Head of Care and was appointed CEO in 2018, with a vision for providing outstanding care for our residents, together with our team, family and friends.
Outside work, Keren enjoys time with her family (especially her grandchildren), gardening and cycling.
Finance Director
Finance Director
Debbie is a qualified accountant (ACCA) and has more than 20 years' experience working in finance. Joining the Trust as Finance Manager, she is delighted to have progressed into the Finance Director role.
As Finance Director, Debbie reports to the CEO and Trustees. With overall responsibility for the finance function, Debbie's main focus is on strategic financial planning and forecasting as part of the growth plans of the Trust.
When she is not busy working on spreadsheets, Debbie spends a lot of time on the football field cheering on her son, and loves to be outside as much as possible.
Operations Director
Operations Director
Kerry joined Amica Care in 2014.
Kerry has over 19 years experience in Health and Social Care, and it is her experience in this sector that drives her passion for promoting the importance of empathy, communication and teamwork. She believes that every individual deserves to receive high quality care that is tailored to their specific needs, and she is committed to making a positive difference in peoples' lives.
HR Business Partner
HR Business Partner
Stephanie Joined Amica Care in 2024.
Stephanie has amassed 15 years of experience in Human Resources, working across various sectors, including Care, Manufacturing and Public Services. Her skills encompass Change Management and employment law, which she has applied to foster organizational development and compliance. She holds a Master’s degree in human resource management, underscoring her deep commitment to her field and professional development.
Stephanie has a unique blend of strategic HR acumen and a commitment to fostering inclusive and supportive workplace environments. Her holistic approach ensures that organizational goals and employee wellbeing are prioritized and balanced.
Beyond professional life, Stephanie is passionate about cross stitching, a hobby she has nurtured since the age of nine! She also enjoys reading, complementing her pursuit of learning and personal growth.
Marketing and Communications Manager
Marketing and Communications Manager
Christelle’s role within the Trust is to raise the profile and impact of our work online and offline as well as supporting our five homes and three Independent Living sites.
Christelle lives in Taunton with her husband and their two young children.
Management Accountant
Management Accountant
To follow
Marketing and Content Assistant
Marketing and Content Assistant
Max joined Amica Care in November 2024 as Marketing and Content Assistant after graduating from Falmouth University in August that year having completed a degree in Marketing Communications. He brings almost 10 years experience working in a variety of jobs from kitchen work to gardening, hospitality and retail.
Growing up in rural Wiltshire Max excelled through education at Gillingham School, Dorset, specialising in Marketing, Advertising and Content Creation, particularly enjoying writing. His interests outside of work include music, sport, gaming and art.
Since relocating to Exeter and gaining this role, Max is extremely excited for the future and grateful to be part of the Amica family.
Operations Manager
Operations Manager
Mandy is a Registered Nurse having worked in Health and Social Care for over 35 years, during which time she has held senior positions within the private care sector.
She joined the Trust in 2021, and is dedicated to supporting the homes and upholding high standards of care.
Outside of work, Mandy enjoys spending time with her family, walking the dog and being artistic.
Facilities Manager
Facilities Manager
Doug joined Amica in 2023, having started his working life a Motor Vehicle Technician and Manager.
His first role as a Facilities Manager came at Hinkley Point, followed by Salisbury Arts and Playhouse before joining the care industry.
Somerset born and bred, Doug has lived in Minehead, Bridwater and Salisbury with his current residence divided between Berrow and 'a field in Street'.
His main interest is working on the 'field in Street' with his wife Trudi, to build a leisure development incorporating an orchard with self-sufficient vegetable plots and chicken coops. He would love to eventually keep donkeys, ducks and geese which can be enjoyed by his grandchildren.
Doug has a passion for sci-fi, especially Dr Who and Star Trek and has been fortunate to meet with many of the actors from those series.
Contracts & Procurement Manager
Contracts & Procurement Manager
Angela joined the Trust in 2023, and comes with 18 years' experience in the care sector, working for a private care provider for most of that time. She has worked in a variety of roles including HR, Marketing and Operations and for the last 8 years in Facilities and Contracts, providing support to care homes to ensure compliance, effect management of supplier contracts and coordination of asset management.
In her spare time Angela enjoys long walks with her family, cooking (and eating nice food!) and holidaying abroad.
Trust Catering Manager
Trust Catering Manager
Jody has over two decades of expertise in the hospitality industry, including fifteen years dedicated to the care sector. Her dedication and passion for hospitality led Jody to attain a level 3 NVQ Diploma in hospitality, supervision, and leadership.
Beyond her professional life, Jody cherishes family moments spent outdoors, walking the dog, bike rides, or coming together to explore the joys of cooking and baking as a family.
Trust Hotel Services Manager
Trust Hotel Services Manager
Kate has been with Amica Care for seven years. She possess nine years of experience in the field of infection control, holding various certifications such as moving and handling, fire marshal, mental health first aider, and infection control champion.
In addition to her professional life, Kate is a parent to a teenage daughter and a lively cocker spaniel. Her personal interests include weight training and indulging in a good book. When it comes to maintaining her mental well-being, Kate enjoys sitting by the seashore, listening to the soothing crash of the waves.
HR Advisor
HR Advisor
Francesca was appointed HR Advisor at Amica Care in January 2024 and is currently studying CIPD Level 5 in People Management.
She joined the organisation in 2022 as a Recruitment Coordinator, and prior to this worked in the recruitment sector for 4 years.
Francesca also has a background in Operational Risk Management working within the Private Healthcare Sector for 11 years, where she gained a Master's degree in Fraud Management.
In her spare time, Francesca enjoys spending time with her husband and their 5 children, long walks in the countryside with her cocker spaniel and keeping active with running and boxing training.
Trust Administrator
Trust Administrator
Tania joined Amica in February 2022 as Trust Administrator, primarily supporting Keren Wilkinson and the Board of Trustees, whilst also providing support for the wider team. She has 30 years’ experience of working in Criminal Law, including Licensing Officer at Bristol Magistrates Court, Avon & Somerset Police and Criminal Defence Solicitors in Bristol, where she qualified as an Associate Legal Executive (ACILEx) and became a member of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives.
Tania lives in Burnham-on-Sea with her husband and two dogs and enjoys dog walks as a National Trust member. She has been an active member of amateur dramatics groups since the mid-1990s, with a particular love of musical theatre.
Finance Officer
Finance Officer
Tracey has worked in payroll for more than 28 years. She joined the trust in 2001 and although her current role is predominantly payroll, Tracey looks after the company bank and pension scheme. Outside work, Tracey loves to travel and enjoys a good read – no soppy stuff though!
Finance Officer
Finance Officer
Sue looks after the residents’ fees and the funding for the trust. With a degree in Mathematics and Education, Sue has previously worked in the health sector, for local government and in the medical sector as a Financial Controller. In her spare time, Sue enjoy crafting and art, and supports Somerset Speedway.
Finance Officer
Finance Officer
Paula has spent most of her working life in an accounting background, however she had a change of career working in a primary school as a teaching assistant whilst her children were growing up, returning to accounts once they were attending secondary school.
In her current position she deals with all aspects of the purchase ledger, including entering invoices, reconciling supplier accounts and preparing payments.
In her spare time, Paula loves going on long walks with her family and dogs, gardening, eating out and holidays!
Quality Improvement Lead
Quality Improvement Lead
Chris joined the Trust in October 2024. He has worked in Health and Social Care for 20 years, during which time he has held a number of positions within both the private and public sectors. This has included quality assurance and improvement roles for private care providers, and also working in inspection for the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Latterly, he has worked front-line for several years as a Home Manager.
He is committed to supporting our home teams in the never-ending drive to improve, and to helping them sustain their delivery of outstanding care.
Outside of work, Chris enjoys spending time with his family and their (too!) many pets. He is passionate about antiques, classic cars and also about the archaeology and rich history of his home county of Dorset.
