We’re proud to announce that Jess Angus has been named Nurse of the Year at our Extraordinary Care Awards 2025.

Jess’s career has spanned intensive care, clinical leadership and community nursing. From supporting patients in the most critical moments to guiding teams and delivering complex care at home, she has always put people at the centre of her work.

What makes Jess stand out is not just her clinical expertise but her compassion. She connects with clients and families in a way that builds trust, restores confidence and helps people rebuild their lives after life-changing injuries or illness.

Jess says, “For me, nursing leadership is about combining clinical excellence with humanity. Complex care is never just about treating a condition, it is about supporting people and families to feel safe, confident and able to live the lives they want. I am proud to be part of a team that puts people first in everything we do.”

Her work shows how nursing leadership in complex care goes beyond meeting health needs. It creates futures; enabling safe discharges, personalised support and care that helps people live the life they want.

Across the country, commissioners and case managers trust our nurses and care teams to deliver consistent, specialist, people-first care that achieves the best outcomes. Jess Angus is a shining example of that in action.

Recently our Complex Care team headed to Bristol for the Catastrophic Injury Conference, hosted by St John’s Chambers.

It was a fantastic day catching up with others who care as much as we do about making a difference for clients. One of the highlights was meeting Nicola-Clare Kelly from Circle Case Management.

We’ve recently supported Circle’s Fund A Family initiative with the donation of a luxury hamper to help a family enjoy a well-deserved holiday, so it was lovely to meet Nicola and chat about the good work this support helps make possible.

A huge thank you to the organisers of the conference for bringing people together to share ideas, fresh thinking and best practice in complex care.

Kristian Lee, CFO, CCH GroupCCH Group’s new CFO, Kristian Lee, has built a career by solving hard problems in fast-moving sectors. Retail. IT services. Logistics. Banking. Moving to care wasn’t the plan. Until it got personal.

“When my mum was diagnosed with cancer, it was the care she received that changed everything for her and for us,” he says. “That experience made me realise how vital this sector is. I wanted to bring the same energy for growth and performance to a space that truly deserves it.”

Known for his commercial edge and no-nonsense style, Kris joins CCH Group at a pivotal time. The organisation is scaling fast, navigating sector pressures, and determined to lead the way in people-first care. Let’s dive in.

You’ve worked across several industries. What made you say yes to care and to CCH?

Once I met the team and saw the ambition behind CCH, I was in. The energy, the mission, the drive to raise standards and change the way people see care, it’s powerful. You don’t walk away from that.

What’s your early read on CCH’s operations and culture?

There’s real depth here. People who know care inside out, who’ve been in the trenches and stayed, not because it’s easy but because it matters. That builds a kind of quiet confidence you don’t find everywhere. Culturally, there’s heart and a deep connection. There’s also a hunger to do more and to do better. Operational excellence matters, but culture is what sustains it.

First six months. What’s on your list?

Get under the skin of the business. See how decisions land on the frontline. I’ve always believed you learn the most from the people who keep things running. At the same time, I’ll be looking at how finance works, its structure, its visibility and how it supports the wider team. Finance shouldn’t sit in the background. It should help drive confident, informed decisions.

What does success look like a year from now?

Finance is seen as a partner shaping decisions and adding value. Operational teams feel supported. The information is accurate, timely and actually useful. If the care professionals feel the impact in better tools, better planning and better outcomes, then we’ve done something right.

What role should finance play in shaping the future of care?

The role is huge. Every pound spent should deliver value for the people we support. That means cutting waste, speeding up investment and putting resources where they’re needed most. But finance also has to look ahead. Spot risks. Forecast needs. Help the business stay agile. Done well, it turns insight into action and helps create the right conditions for great care to happen.

At CCH, we believe in championing the future of care, ensuring that the voices of providers and frontline teams are heard. That’s why we were proud to be part of a vital discussion at Portcullis House, organised by the Skills for Care London CEO Network.

Our Operations Director, Sarah Kwofie, represented CCH, joining key policymakers, including Helen Morgan MP (Lib Dem Spokesperson for Health & Social Care), Munira Wilson MP (MP for Twickenham, covering Education and Children), and Alison Bennett MP (Spokesperson for Care and Carers). The discussion centred on the challenges facing adult social care in London.

Alison Bennett acknowledged that social care often happens “behind closed doors”, meaning it doesn’t always get the attention it deserves until people need it. Helen Morgan reaffirmed that the Liberal Democrats are committed to professionalising the sector.

Reflecting on the conversation, Sarah Kwofie shared:

“Care is the backbone of our communities. If it’s at risk, so are the millions who rely on it to live with dignity and independence. The sector needs fair funding and real recognition of the vital role care plays in people’s lives. It was encouraging to see policymakers engage and show concern for the sector. I felt that they do care for the people, as we do, and left feeling hopeful that real solutions will come to the table.”

At CCH, we remain committed to working collaboratively with sector leaders, policymakers, and organisations like Skills for Care to ensure that adult social care gets the investment, recognition, and support it truly deserves.

There’s a knock on the door. It’s Jenny, radiating positivity, ready with a joke and a warm reassuring hand. When your care professional is happy, you know they’ll bring their best self to work every day.

That’s the philosophy at Westminster’s CCH branch, where a people-first approach has transformed not just employee satisfaction but care outcomes too. They have shown that caring for our teams is not only the right thing to do but a proven strategy.

Two care professionals hugging

To uncover the secret to their success, we spoke with Kirkland McKay, Westminster Branch Manager (and local CCH superstar).

“Our people are at the heart of everything we do. By fostering the best culture in care, we are strengthening our branch and a shaping a brighter future for care as a whole. I couldn’t be prouder of my team and the incredible support they provide to one another and the people we serve every day.”

But what does “people first” look like in practice and how does it translate into real results? Let’s take a look at Westminster’s playbook.

The secret to Westminster’s Success

“We bring our teams close together”

  • Weekly Check-ins: Regular one-on-one conversations help address challenges early, ensuring care professionals feel supported before frustrations take root. Result: A more motivated, empowered workforce with stronger trust in leadership.
  • Care Professional Social Evenings: Informal gatherings where staff can relax, eat together, connect, and celebrate their shared purpose. Result: Strengthened bonds and a deep sense of community.
  • A Warm, Welcoming Office Culture: Every visit to the office includes a friendly smile, an offer from the office for tea or coffee, and genuine appreciation. Result: Small gestures create a ripple effect, reinforcing that every team member is valued.

“We support our people to grow”

  • Monthly Workshops: Care professionals lead skill-sharing sessions, encouraging learning and collaboration. Result: Increased ownership, pride, and a culture of continuous improvement.
  • Professional Development Opportunities: Many team members are enrolled in Level 3 and higher apprenticeships, with hands-on support from management. Result: Career progression that is actively facilitated.
  • Internal Promotions: Commitment to promoting from within ensures hard work is recognised and rewarded. Result: Long-term investment in team members’ futures, boosting retention and morale.

“We recognise exceptional care”

  • Monthly recognition: Every month a “Care Professional of the Month” certificate is given and the winners have the chance of attending an epic regional celebrations. Result: Recognition inspires excellence and reinforces a culture of appreciation.
  • Regular shout outs: The team uses CCH Connect to regularly showcase and celebrate their people. Result: Allows the team to feel seen and valued.

And the results are in

Westminster’s people-first approach hasn’t just built a strong team, it’s driven exceptional business outcomes:

  • Punctuality & Duration Compliance: 20% improvement.
  • Weekly Branch Hours: Grew from 2,800 to an impressive 3,700.
  • ECM Percentages: Surged to 99%
  • Retention: Improved by 7% over the past year.

These outstanding results haven’t gone unnoticed. Dementia advisor commissioners now call Westminster the best-performing branch since their contract with London Care began. Westminster Local Authority has also consistently praised their domiciliary care and day centre services, delivering exceptional feedback quarter after quarter.

Building a better future for care

Westminster is living proof of CCH Group’s vision: when you put people first, care professionals thrive, service users flourish, and business soars.

To those wondering if a people-first approach is worth it, Westminster’s story delivers the answer loud and clear: it’s not just worth it, it’s essential.

We’re thrilled to share that our very own Fiona Ford, Head of Quality – North, has been appointed as a Trustee Director on the Executive Board of Scottish Care.

Scottish Care is the leading voice for independent social care providers across Scotland. As a Trustee Director, Fiona will help shape the strategic direction of Scottish Care, championing the needs of care providers and the people they support.

Being part of their Executive Board enables Fiona to influence the Government, regulators, and commissioners – demonstrating just how much her expertise and passion for quality care are valued across the sector. This role also gives Fiona the chance to share insights from her work with CCH Group, putting us right at the heart of discussions about the future of care in Scotland.

Fiona had this to say about her new role:

“I’m thrilled to join Scottish Care’s Executive Board and represent the amazing work we do in the care sector. This is a great opportunity to make a real difference, and I’m looking forward to bringing fresh ideas and developing my skills further to support our teams and the people we care for.”

Congratulations, Fiona – your appointment reflects not only your outstanding commitment to improving the lives of those we care for, but also CCH Group’s ability to drive meaningful change for everyone who receives care. Your appointment is a win for Scottish Care, CCH Group, and communities we support every day.

Chosen from over 4,500 nominations, Melrose impressed judges with her compassion and excellence in care coordination. They praised her as “an incredible example of compassion in action, setting the standard for care coordination”.

With 23 years in the care sector, Melrose has worked across learning disabilities, special needs, and care homes, rising from team leader to manager before transitioning into domiciliary care eight years ago. As a Care Coordinator, she works closely with families, social workers, and GPs – advocating for those without a voice and ensuring people-first care for individuals of all ages.

Melrose’s passion for care stems from childhood, where she cared for her hearing-impaired grandmother. “I learned sign language and made sure she felt valued and understood,” she recalled.

Winning this award is a milestone for Melrose, who remains humble as she prepares for the national finals in Birmingham in March 2025.

“Whether I win or not, I know I’ve touched lives, and that’s what matters most.”

Melrose, you inspire us all. Good luck in the finals!

Prabhjot Atwal, the registered manager for Rosemary House, Willow House, and Newcroft House extra care schemes in Brent, has been honoured with the Manager of the Year award at this year’s regional Extraordinary Care Awards in London.

Prabhjot’s leadership across these busy extra care schemes – delivered by our London Care team, part of CCH Group – has earned her recognition for her outstanding contribution to supporting her teams in Brent.

Following her award win, Prabhjot’s successes have led to her promotion to Area Manager, highlighting the unique progression opportunities that we offer as part of our people-first agenda and commitment to developing talent within our organisation. Her team expressed their admiration, saying, “Even though Prabhjot manages three busy extra care schemes, she’s always willing to support in a crisis and get things back on track. She is a huge support to the region, and we are lucky to have her!”

The Extraordinary Care Awards attracted over 2,000 semi-finalists, celebrating the best of the UK care sector. CCH Group’s inaugural ceremonies across the country culminated in a national event in York, where regional winners like Prabhjot were recognised for their exceptional commitment – ensuring they are celebrated for the life-changing work they do each day.

We’ve always known that CCH Group has the best people in the business – a truly world-class frontline team. Their passion, dedication, and professionalism inspire us daily, and now, the world is taking notice too.

We’re beyond excited to announce that eight of our amazing team members have been shortlisted for the prestigious Great British Care Awards! If they win, they’ll be off to the Nationals. We couldn’t be prouder.

Without further ado, let’s meet our incredible finalists:

Karen Marchington
Barnstaple – Homelife Carers
Home Care Worker Award, South West

DP Care Team
Telford – Complete Care Amegreen
Care Team Award, Wales

Melrose Harding
Southwark – London Care
Home Care Coordinator Award, London

Smith Oshodin
Glasgow – Mochridhe
Care Newcomer Award, North East and Scotland

Emma Dixon
Newcastle – Careline Homecare & North Tyneside – Comfort Call
Home Care Registered Manager, North East and Scotland

Viola Jirira
Finchley Camden – MiHomecare
Outstanding Contribution to Social Care Award, London

Jacqueline Woods
Cumbernauld – Constance Care
Home Care Registered Manager, North East and Scotland

Debbie Ross
Whitehaven – Human Support Group
Home Care Registered Manager, North West

We wish you all luck as you take on the regional awards. Everyone at CCH Group will be cheering you all on!

In light of growing pressures on public funding, CCH Group is proud to be working closely with local authorities across the UK to enhance how we handle care calls cancelled by clients. Together, we’re exploring new, more efficient ways to report cancellations in real time and monitor the length of care visits as they happen. Using our sector-leading digital care platform, we can share vital data instantly – allowing our local authority partners and frontline teams to make faster, more informed decisions.

These partnerships are already delivering meaningful cost savings for local authorities, helping us to make sure our vital services are directed where they are needed. Sarah Kwofie, our Operations Director for London and the South, explains: “Using real-time data to tackle repeat cancellations means we’re not only saving money for our local authority partners but also making sure our care teams are focused on those who need them most. It’s about being more responsive and more effective with our care.”

At CCH Group, we know how important it is to be mindful of the challenges our public partners face. This project not only supports our broader mission to reach everyone in need of care, ensuring no one is left behind, but by empowering our staff and maximising our resources we’re strengthening the vital role of care in our communities.