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
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.
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.