The Next Generation initiative, hosted by Carterwood, Octopus Real Estate and Care England, held its second dinner at the York and Albany Restaurant, London on 3 July 2019.
UK population trends highlight that we have an ageing population. In a similar vein, the UK has a rather mature representation among the current industry leaders and operators – in fact, Carterwood research has highlighted that the average age of a care home owner in Surrey is 59, with 15.2% of care home owners in the same region aged over 70, and 50% of care home owners in Durham are over the age of 60. The Next Generation initiative was launched by Carterwood, Care England and Octopus Real Estate in January with the intention of bringing together the sector’s innovators and young minds to discuss opportunities for the future of leadership throughout the care sector. This second event continued progressive conversation, using the informal environment to facilitate a lively and engaging debate.
Discussion focussed on innovation was led by Nick Perrett, managing director of P Ventures. Nick’s extensive knowledge of technology and innovation strategies, along with his experience in helping passionate entrepreneurs to build new businesses, made him the ideal main speaker of the evening. Nick encouraged attendees to look at their own organisations and behaviours and explore any opportunities they could harness within them – including their structure, decision making processes and how they interact with regulatory bodies. The health and social care sector is ideally positioned to take advantage of the many significant opportunities for person-focussed innovation, particularly for local authorities and across the mid-market. Such innovation is possible not only through the way care is delivered, but also how it is funded, and has the potential to improve experiences of care for both caregivers and recipients.
As always, the challenges associated with staffing provided a hot topic for debate. The impact technology is having on these issues was considered, and while it was acknowledged there has been some success, significant progress in this industry-wide problem is still lacking.
Amanda Nurse, managing director of Carterwood, commented “it was another fantastic evening, which I know everyone enjoyed. The conversation and debate were both engaging and fascinating and I am so pleased to help facilitate opportunities for the younger members of the sector to come together. As always it has been an absolute pleasure working with Octopus Real Estate and Care England, and we are already planning the next event together”.
The feedback generated by the evening has been overwhelmingly positive. Preyen Dewani, a former National Care Entrepreneur of the Year winner and CEO of Evolve Care Group, which recently had two of its homes rated Outstanding by the CQC, said “it is reassuring that we have an enthusiastic generation of young leaders in care who are passionate about investing in and developing the very best for people in need of support. We are grateful to Care England, Carterwood and Octopus Real Estate for hosting these valuable and enjoyable discussion forums”.
If you are a young leader in care and wish to be involved in future events, please don’t hesitate to contact Tom Hartley at Carterwood on 08458 690777 or email info@carterwood.co.uk to receive details of upcoming opportunities.
