Meet the Directors & Managers
Chief Executive
Andrew Larpent OBE, BSc
Andrew joined the Somerset Care Group as Chief Executive in June 2001. Following a 25 year career in the Army, which included command of an infantry batallion in Germany and throughout the 1991 Gulf War, his first civilian job was as a general manager and director of the REHAU Group. From 1997 to 2001 he was CEO of a national children's charity, Cancer and Leukaemia in Childhood (CLIC).
Chairman
Audrey Derrick
Audrey was appointed to the board in June 1996, having worked for the Somerset Care Group since 1991. Audrey is a retired Social Worker & Care Services Manager, working for Somerset County Council from 1976-1990. Audrey is Chairman of the Acacia Training and Development board, and Vice-Chairman of the Somerset Care Limited and Isle Care boards.
Group Head of Human Resources and Training
Sue Baverstock
Sue was appointed to the Board of Acacia Training & Development in 2006. Sue is Group Head of Human Resources and Training and joined Somerset Care in 1993, having previously worked in insurance. She qualified as a graduate of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development in 1999.
Non Executive Director
Barrie Dale BSc (Hons) FCIH
Barrie was appointed to the board in October 2000. He was Borough Housing Officer at Taunton Deane from 1985-97, and Assistant Chief Executive at Taunton Deane from 1997-99. From 1999 he was also Associate Lecturer at Bridgwater College.
Vice Chairman
Richard Barnfield
Richard was appointed to the board of Acacia Training and Development in January 2003 and was elected Vice Chairman in April 09. He had previously been Managing Director of WESTEC (now West of England Learning & Skills Council) and prior to this was Head of Personnel & Training for the Bristol & West Building Society.
Non Executive Director
Chris Davies CBE DL
Chris was appointed to the board in April 2008, having worked as a Director of Social Services for both Somerset County Council and Cardiff City Council and as a former President of the Association of Directors of Social Services. Chris has been appointed to the Somerset Care Group Board along with the Boards for the subsidiary companies of Somerset Care at Home, Acacia Training & Development and Isle Care.
Non Executive Director
Jim Iles
Jim was appointed to the board of Isle Care in 2004, having retired from the role of Chief Executive at South Wight Housing Association which he had held since 1997. Prior to this, he was Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Community Services at West Wiltshire District Council. Jim was elected chair of the Isle Care board in November 2005, and is also a member of the Acacia Training and Development and Somerset Care Group boards.
Non Executive Director
Heather Strawbridge
Heather joined the Board on 1st October 2010. Heather was a Somerset County Councillor from 1993 to 2001 during which time she held several positions including Deputy Leader of Council. She was a member of Sedgemoor District Council from 1995 to 1999, and recently completed her term of office as Chairman of Connect South West. Her current appointments include Chairman of the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Trust, Governor of Bridgwater College, and Trustee and Director of the NHS Confederation.
Non Executive Director
Dr Jane Townson
Dr Jane Townson BSc, MSc, MA, PhD, joined the Somerset Care Group Board in April 2011. Jane’s earlier career was spent working in bioscience and agribusiness and since 2005 she has been a Non Executive Director and Senior Independent Director on the Board of the Somerset Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, gaining significant experience in clinical and social care governance. She also runs her own business, providing consultancy and professional training services for organisations and individuals on the link between nutrition and health and wellbeing.
Assistant Director
Hazel Lessiter
Hazel has worked for Acacia Training for over 10 years. Initially employed as the Key Skills Co-ordinator, Hazel has been promoted through the ranks and is now line managing the three Centre Mangers as the Assistant Director. With a high focus on quality and customer service, Hazel has helped to shape the company as it has evolved from the amalgamation of three separate training companies. Prior to her employment with Acacia Training, Hazel worked freelance as an assessor, internal verifier and training co-ordinator with several local training providers in Plymouth.
Centre Manager Heathfield
Christine Pountney
Christine joined Acacia Training in August 2007 as Centre Manager at Heathfield. Previously, Christine had worked with a national training provider for 20 years as an assessor and verifier, then latterly as the Business Development Manager for SW England.
Centre Manager Plymouth
Jarod Harvey BA (Hons)
Jarod joined Acacia Training in August 2007 as Centre Manager in Plymouth. He gained his experience in the sector whilst working for a national training provider. Jarod is a qualified NVQ assessor and Internal Verifier. After leaving school Jarod joined the Merchant Navy before going to University where he gained a combined honours degree in Leisure & Tourism & Geography.
Centre Manager Taunton
Linda Okuniewska
Linda joined Acacia Training in 2006 as Centre Manager in Taunton. Prior to this, she gained over 20 years experience in the training environment largely within the care sector by working in the commercial, not for profit and voluntary sector.
Finance Manager
Sophie McKeever
After gaining a degree in Business Studies and taking an accountancy conversion course at the University of the West of England, Sophie worked for nearly ten years in audit and tax roles before moving into the industry. Sophie joined Acacia Training and Development in 2004 as an Accountant, progressing later to her current position of Finance Manager.
Quality Assurance Manager
Heather Gibbs
Heather joined Acacia Training and Development in August 2009 as the Quality Assurance Manager. Previously Heather worked for a multinational Employability and Skills Training Provider in a national quality assurance and training role. Heather’s experience encompasses a wide variety of quality assurance standards, staff training, office management and HR.