MANAGEMENT TEAM
MEET OUR MANAGEMENT TEAM
Neil Ryder
Chief Executive
Neil has been Chief Executive of Cartref Ni since 2015 and was a Trustee prior to that since the charity began over 30 years ago. As Chief Executive, Neil reports to the Board of Trustees and ensures that the charity provides the best possible services to the people we support and the best possible conditions for our staff.
One of the most important parts of Neils role is to meet with people we support and staff regularly to understand their needs and what’s happening with the services we provide. Luckily, this is the best part of the job for Neil and the part he enjoys the most!
Neil has worked in Health and Social Care for over 35 years and previously held many different roles in the NHS for over 25 years including roles as a senior manager and Director. Cartref Ni has supported Neil’s brother for over 30 years, so understands the services both from the organisational perspective and the family perspective.
Tracy Jarmaine
Head of Operations
Tracy has worked at Cartref Ni since 1995 and is responsible for the day-to-day management of services, ensuring high quality is achieved. Tracy is also responsible for the management of Service Managers and Assistant Managers and supports the Chief Executive with strategic and business planning.
Throughout her working life Tracy has worked with people who have a learning disability in various roles. Initially starting her career in a residential setting, she later joined Cartref Ni and has since achieved various Leadership & Management qualifications.
Rob Johnson
Head of Finance and Business Administration
Rob joined Cartref Ni in June 2021 as the Head of Finance and Business Administration and is responsible for coordinating the corporate functions of the charity including finance, HR and IT.
Rob is a qualified Chartered Accountant and has previously led finance departments in the manufacturing and leisure industries.
Jo McGuinness
Deputy Head of Finance and Business Administration
Jo has worked at Cartref Ni since 2016 and is responsible for supporting the Finance, HR and IT functions to best meet the needs of the services.
Jo has worked within the not for profit sector for over 20 years across a number of different charity services. Starting within the administration function, she developed her skills, experience and qualifications to widen her role to eventually coordinate the Finance, HR and IT functions.
Gill Eastwood
Quality Assurance and Compliance Manager
Gill has worked at Cartref Ni since 2019 and is involved with all aspects of quality assurance and compliance matters. A large part of her role is visiting the houses we offer support in to carry out quality audits and health and safety.
Gill is also the facilitator and Mentor for the Social Care Managers Mentorship programme within Cartref Ni. Originally from Australia, Gill has worked in Health & Social Care for most of her life in various management roles and more recently at Llandrillo College as a Work based learning Assessor and Tutor.
Jean Perkins
Learning and Development Manager
Jean has worked at Cartref Ni since 2019 and is accountable for all education, workforce development and training compliance within Cartref Ni. She designs, delivers, plans and commissions all learning and development for the charity. Jean has worked in Health and Social Care for over 25 years including in clinical, teaching and senior management roles both within the NHS and pharmaceutical industry.
Jean is responsible for coordinating work placements and attends recruitment and other workforce events. She is Chair of the Social Care Wales, All Wales Induction Framework Advisory Group and the Coleg Cambria Advisory Board for employers. Jean is committed to supporting the wonderful staff at Cartref Ni to reach their education, development, and career potential goals.
Ruth Wellum
Service Manager
Ruth started working at Cartref Ni in 2014 as a Cover Worker and is currently a Service Manager to 4 houses, 3 in Denbighshire and 1 in Flintshire. Ruth manages 19 members of staff who support 6 gentlemen and 1 lady to live their best lives.
In 2022 Ruth received the Welsh Social Care Award in the category of – Excellence in Learning Disability & Mental Health Services!
Caroline Clayton-Lloyd
Service Manager
Caroline has worked at Cartref Ni since January 2017. Her role involves management of staffing, ensuring individuals have input and choice into everyday life and ensuring guidance and legislation is followed.
Caroline has worked within the field of social care for over 37 years, starting her career as a Support Worker. She has had a variety of roles from Community Support Officer to Registered Manager of Autism Services, Operational Vocational Manager, Activities Manager to the current role as Service Manager.
Samantha Dodd
Service Manager
Samantha has worked at Cartref Ni since 2019 and is a Service Manager for houses in the Denbighshire area including Rhuddlan and Denbigh. She manages teams of Support Workers across both locations to support the individuals to make everyday choices and live their life the way they choose.
Samantha has worked in the Health & Social Care sector since she was 18 in various roles including residential care management in mental health and learning disabilities, support work and management roles and has gained her Level 5 qualification.
Karl Blears
Service Manager
Karl has worked at Cartref Ni since 2009 and is responsible for ensuring the people we support are happy, safe and can do the things they choose.
Previously, Karl was a Support Worker with Cartref Ni for 5 years before receiving an opportunity to work in the office as an Assistant Manager. He has been in his current position as Service Manager since 2016.
Gwyn Jones
Service Manager
Gwyn has worked at Cartref Ni for 16 years and mentors a team of staff to enable the people we support to enjoy fulfilled lives.
Previously, Gwyn has undertaken various roles in Health and Social Care including Support Worker, Sports Instructor, Day Services Coordinator and Service Manager.
Jackie Hibbert
Service Manager
Jackie has worked at Cartref Ni since 2016 and her role involves ensuring the individuals in the houses that she supports live the lives that they want to lead and achieve their goals.
Jackie started at Cartref Ni as a Support Worker, then moved to a Assistant Manager position, before progressing to Service Manager. Previously, Jackie worked as a Support Manager at another company for around 5 years.
Nichola Bradbury
Service Manager
Nichola has worked at Cartref Ni for over 6 years and is responsible for 4 houses. Her role ensures she effectively manages the support teams at each house ensuring the individuals we support live a full and active life in their own home.
Nichola started her career as a Support Worker for another care provider 16 years ago, supporting adults with learning disabilities in a supported living setting, followed by Deputy Manager role in a nursing home.
MEET OUR ASSISTANT MANAGERS
Ellie Turner
Assistant Manager
Ellie has worked for Cartref Ni since 2019 after starting as a Support Worker in Colwyn Bay followed by a promotion to Assistant Manager. Ellie works across Flintshire supporting the team with admin and visits to the people we support.
Ellie has worked in support work for approximately 20 years before and has also worked as a lead assessor/tutor in essential English skills with adults before joining Cartref Ni.
Selina Davies
Assistant Manager
Selina started working for Cartref Ni in 2005 as a temporary Support Worker covering maternity leave and has never left! Her role as Assistant Manager involves a wide variety of tasks and responsibilities and stepping up to oversee the service when the managers are off.
Since joining Cartref Ni, Selina has experienced many positions including Support Worker, Person Centred planning coordinator, Training Coordinator and Service Manager. After having her second daughter she was able to apply for a part-time position as an Assistant Manager and is one of the best decisions she has made.
Emma Ogden
Assistant Manager
Emma started working for Cartref Ni 15 years ago as a Support Worker and recently received her 15 years of service certificate. Her role supports the Service Manager in ensuring that services meet the needs of individuals and the agreed Service Delivery/Care Plan is being adhered to.
After 2 years working as a Support Worker, Emma’s son was diagnosed with Autism and it became an area she became passionate about. Emma completed her level 5 advanced practice in Health and Social Care and also won a Wales Care Award in 2016 for going above and beyond in her role.
Jo Lightfoot
Assistant Manager
Joanne has recently started a new position as Assistant Manager after working for Cartref Ni for over 9 years as a Support Worker. Before joining Cartref Ni Joanne worked in the care sector for 9 years providing care in the homes of elderly and vulnerable people.
Joanne’s role involves supporting the managers and staff to ensure the individuals within the organisation receive the best support and ensure that their well-being is promoted. She also ensures relevant documentation is kept up to date and as well as setting new goals and outcomes with the staff to ensure the people we support live their best lives.
The best part of the role for Joanne is to meet new people and to be part of their lives.
Claire Evans
Assistant Manager
Claire has worked for Cartref Ni as a Support Worker since the start of 2017. Claire had the experience of supporting many individuals with mixed abilities and wonderful characters.
Claire decided it was time to put all the skills and knowledge she had gained over the years into a managerial role, and in April 2024 was successful in gaining a promotion as an Assistant Manager position and now supports the Service Managers and staff to help the people we support across Conwy and Denbighshire to live their best lives!
Claire says “I love my job and Cartref Ni’s values”.
Discover a rewarding career!
A career in support work can be really rewarding and each day is different. Find out more about careers at Cartref Ni.