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Our People

At Holmes Care, our people are our greatest asset. Their unwavering dedication, compassion, and expertise are what make our homes special, turning them into places where lives are not just cared for, but genuinely fulfilled.

Our team is the beating heart of Holmes Care Group, ensuring that every resident experiences warmth and respect. With a rich diversity of backgrounds and skills, our team members are united by a shared passion for enriching the lives of those we care for. It’s their personal commitment that fosters a nurturing environment where every individual is treated with the utmost dignity and care.

Holmes Care isn’t just about delivering exceptional care; it’s about making every moment count, ensuring that our residents feel valued, supported, and truly at home.

Sharifa Lakhani

CEO

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Sharifa Lakhani

CEO

It’s fair to say that I have literally grown up with Holmes Care; my parents having founded the business back in 1982. From a very young age, I was aware of the importance of empathy, caring for others and the joy found in connecting with those either older or less physically able. I joined the business in 2014 initially as the company Solicitor, moving to Managing Director and then CEO. I hold an MBA from Imperial College London.


As CEO I am accountable for all aspects of the business. In order to fulfil this responsibility, my key duties are to lead, support and develop my senior team, ensure our teams are striving to provide high quality care and support to our residents and foster a culture of collaboration and operational excellence across the group.


Spending time with our residents and staff teams is a joy to me, as is the diversity of my working day. Being a family business, I take a genuine interest (and pride) in every aspect of it, whether it be sitting in on a Budget Planning Meeting, identifying Staff training initiatives, or judging a Children’s Christmas Card Competition. It’s certainly a varied role!


When I’m off duty, I enjoy spending time with my family, including trips to the park with my adventurous young son and his trusty sidekick, our Cavapoo Alfie. I also cannot function without Yorkshire Tea!

Tracey Howell

Managing Director

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Tracey Howell

Managing Director

My key responsibilities include providing strategic leadership to ensure the company delivers exceptional care and operational excellence. I’m focused on driving growth, shaping our vision, and empowering our teams to enhance and enrich the quality of life for our residents. 


A core part of my role is fostering a culture of continuous improvement and supporting the development of our people, ensuring we maintain the highest standards across all our homes.


What I love most about my role is connecting with our residents, staff, and families, and seeing the positive impact of our work. Developing and mentoring our teams is incredibly rewarding, as it ensures we create an environment where talent thrives and residents receive outstanding care. Coming from a nursing background, I value being present in our homes and maintaining close contact with residents and staff whenever possible.


I have been fortunate to work in supportive environments with leaders who encouraged and developed me, and now I take great pride in nurturing new talent and helping others grow with the support of the company.


Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family, especially walking, cycling, holidays, and making memories with my children and grandchildren.

Jamie Brown

Operations Director

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Jamie Brown

Operations Director

I have spent my career working within Health and Social Care, holding senior management roles across both the private and third sectors.


 In 2023, I joined Holmes Care Group as Regional Operations Manager and have since progressed into the role of Operations Director, where I oversee our 23 services. I am deeply passionate about delivering excellence in care by creating nurturing environments that support positive outcomes for our residents. 


A key focus of my role is implementing and driving meaningful change, ensuring our services continue to evolve and maintain the highest standards. The most rewarding part of my work is seeing our dedicated teams enrich the lives of those in our care every day.


Outside of work, I enjoy spending quality time with my family and travelling... The key to happiness is always having a holiday to look forward to!

Chelsie Farrell

Chief Strategy & Governance Officer

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Chelsie Farrell

Chief Strategy & Governance Officer

My key responsibilities are encouraging innovation, improving process and working alongside the rest of the Executive Team on ensuring the business reaches its long-term objectives.


What I love most about my role is how every day is different, it keeps me on my toes!


When I am off-duty, I enjoy being somewhere in the sunshine, or at home snuggling my two big slobbery Boxer dogs Barnaby & Rupert!

Leon Bates

Chief Financial Officer

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Leon Bates

Chief Financial Officer

I qualified as a Chartered Accountant with Grant Thornton, starting out in audit before moving into industry. I’ve spent several years in senior finance roles at fast-growing digital businesses, supporting expansion and transformation. 


My career has included CFO and Finance Director roles across venture capital and private equity-backed companies, with experience spanning technology, healthcare, and professional services. Over the years, I’ve led teams, built reporting dashboards, shaped pricing strategies, and supported fundraising and M&A activity. 


I enjoy turning complex financial and business challenges into clear, actionable plans and making finance work smarter for the business.


When I’m off duty, you’ll probably find me with my kids in tow, ferrying my son and daughter to various activities. I’m a big football fan (Arsenal through and through) and love playing, watching, or going to matches. I also enjoy travelling, swimming, and getting to the gym when I can.

Shilleen Freeth

HR Director

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Shilleen Freeth

HR Director

I’ve worked in Human Resources for over 20 years, and I can honestly say I still love what I do. No two days are ever the same, and I thrive on the variety and the opportunity to work closely with people.


Supporting individuals through tricky and often complex situations is something I take great pride in, and I’m passionate about creating a fair, inclusive, and positive working environment. 


As HR Director at Holmes Care Group, I oversee Human Resources, Recruitment, and Learning & Development. My role is to ensure we meet all our statutory obligations while continuously improving the employee experience. I’m committed to building on the great work that has already been done to make Holmes Care Group a great place to work—where people feel valued, supported, and empowered to grow.


I believe HR is about more than policies and procedures; it’s about people. I’m here to listen, guide, and help shape a workplace culture that brings out the best in everyone.


Outside of work, I’m a proud mum to two grown-up children and happily married. I spend a lot of time with my family and our energetic German Shepherd, Merv, who definitely keeps me busy! In my spare time, I enjoy walking, gardening, and taking on constant home improvement projects—there’s always something to do, and I love it that way.


I’m passionate about what I do, both professionally and personally, and I truly hope that I bring that energy and commitment into every aspect of my work.

Michelle Carr

Regional Operations Manager (West)

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Michelle Carr

Regional Operations Manager (West)

I provide operational support and leadership to 11 care homes across the west of Scotland, working closely with our teams to ensure we deliver safe, compassionate, and person‑centred care.


 I am a Registered General Nurse and have spent the last 16 years working within care homes - a sector I am incredibly passionate about. My clinical background has shaped my approach to leadership, helping me support our teams to provide high‑quality care and continuously improve the experience for our residents.


What I enjoy most about my role is empowering home managers and their teams, building positive working cultures, and seeing the meaningful impact this has on residents’ wellbeing. Creating environments where people feel valued, respected, and supported is at the heart of everything I do.


Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family - my three girls definitely keep me on my toes! I also love walking my dog and travelling whenever I get the chance to unwind and explore new places.

Kat Barnwell

Regional Operations Manager (East)

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Kat Barnwell

Regional Operations Manager (East)

My key responsibilities are to provide operational support and leadership to 11 care home services across the east of Scotland.  The position ensures that each home operates efficiently, meets regulatory standards, and delivers high-quality care to residents.


I began my healthcare journey as a care assistant and have worked in every possible role within care homes between then and my current role. Because of this, I have a particular passion for staff empowerment and development.


I am one of the lucky people who really enjoy their job.  I spend most of my day speaking with people, so I do enjoy some peace and quiet time at home.  Although, this has changed somewhat since the addition of a Beagle puppy to our house.

Sheri-Ann Fudge

Head of HR

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Sheri-Ann Fudge

Head of HR

I have worked as a Human Resources Professional in Health and Social Care for 10 years. I pride myself on leading and developing my teams to provide the best possible support to operational colleagues.


I am passionate about supporting employees at all levels, creating a culture where staff feel listened to and treated fairly. This varies from offering a ‘listening ear’ to an employee, guiding managers through a process and developing strategies to best meet the business needs. 


As Head of HR at Holmes Care Group, I oversee the Human Resources and Recruitment functions. Along with my teams, I am responsible for managing the employee lifecycle, from recruitment to retirement, ensuring a positive work environment and compliance with regulations.


I believe that with continuous education, training, and support for health and wellbeing, all employees can reach their full potential and perform at their best.


Outside of work, I live with my husband and our 3 chihuahuas who all have their own cheeky little personalities! In my spare time, I enjoy yoga, powerlifting, walking the dogs and camping.


I am delighted to be part of the team at Holmes Care Group; I am positive that my passion for continuous development will support colleagues and the business to meet their goals.

Clare Cogan Turner

Head of Marketing

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Clare Cogan Turner

Head of Marketing

As Head of Marketing for Holmes Care Group, I lead all brand, PR, and marketing activity across our 23 services. My role is to ensure that the identity and values of each home are communicated clearly and meaningfully, highlighting the exceptional care we provide and the individual stories that make each service unique.


Before joining the care home sector, I spent 18 years working in the third sector, most recently as Head of Marketing and Communications for a disability charity. My work has always been rooted in a strong belief in inclusivity, community and ensuring every voice can be heard. This made the transition into care homes a natural one for me.


I’m passionate about using communication to connect people, build trust, and shine a light on the incredible work done across our organisation.


Outside of work, I love to read as much as I can. I also enjoy the tranquility of a loch swim, no matter the time of year and, I’m on a never-ending journey to master conversational French - ideally spoken someday over a hot chocolate in a Parisian café.

Stephen Whitehead

Estates Manager

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Stephen Whitehead

Estates Manager

My key responsibilities are to ensure that our Care Homes and Head Office buildings are the safest, best maintained, and most welcoming places for our residents, staff, and visitors.


What I love most is that our services are ultimately for the care and wellbeing of each individual resident, who trusts us to provide them with a happy, warm, joyful and safe quality of life.


In my personal life, I enjoy spending quality time with my family and friends. I teach yoga classes in the evenings and on weekends, and in my spare time I love to play the cello - my favourite piece to play is Bach’s Cello Suite No. 2 Prelude. I also enjoy playing the guitar, especially “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” by The Beatles.