Jane Townson, CEO of Homecare Association becomes Care Provider Alliance chair
1 September 2023
The coalition of national voices of adult social care providers in England, the Care Provider Alliance (CPA) is delighted to welcome Dr Jane Townson OBE, Chief Executive Officer of the Homecare Association, as the incoming Chair for 2023/24.
Jane has extensive experience in the social care, health, housing, and technology sectors -including over four years as CEO of the Homecare Association. Before this, she worked for almost 8 years as a board member and CEO of a £75m turnover not-for-profit care provider, delivering homecare, housing with care, supported living for people with disabilities, and operating 30 care homes.
Jane’s first career was in international leadership roles in research and development in ICI, AstraZeneca, and Syngenta, where she was Global Head of Bioscience Research. She then established her own business providing consultancy and training on the link between lifestyle factors and public health, working with private individuals and public sector organisations. She was formerly Chair of the Board of Kraydel (now Advanced Technology Solutions Ltd); Chairman of YourLife (JV with McCarthy & Stone); and Vice Chair of the Homecare Association.
The role of CPA chair rotates annually across each of the ten associations. Jane follows Nadra Ahmed CBE, Chief Executive of the National Care Association who served as the CPA’s Chair for the past 12 months.
Commenting on her new role, Jane said:
“I am delighted to serve as this year’s Chair of the Care Provider Alliance (CPA), which has evolved over the years into a cohesive group with increasing influence. The care system is a complex network of thousands of private, voluntary and community sector organisations, supporting people in all settings. Members meet weekly and work closely together to share experiences and coordinate care providers’ responses – both strategic and operational - to the challenges we all face. Speaking with one voice is crucial as we seek to influence important agendas, including integrated care, sustainable funding, and growth and development of our workforce. I look forward to continuing our work with fellow CPA members, policymakers, commissioners, and those who draw on services over the coming year. We are all grateful to outgoing Chair, Nadra Ahmed CBE, for her superb leadership of CPA over the last year, and to the small admin team who support us on a part-time basis.”
Outgoing Chair, Nadra Ahmed, commented:
"It has been a privilege to work with such an amazing group of dedicated people and lead the CPA over the last 12 months. We’ve seen some genuinely important developments – such as the development of the Integrated Care Systems Learning Network for health and social care partners, and welcoming the Care Association Alliance as our newest member. I know that Jane has the energy, tenacity and knowledge to take the Alliance forward as we tackle ongoing challenges – including the build up to a likely election in 2024 when social care will be a high on the political agenda. I look forward to continuing to work closely with her.”
Notes to editors§
About the CPA§
The Care Provider Alliance (CPA) brings together the 10 main national associations which represent independent and voluntary adult social care providers in England. We work to represent the sector and ensure a coordinated response to the major issues that affect it.
The Care Provider Alliance is an informal body with a rotating chair. Membership is of the representative associations with a national membership across the whole of England. However, some CPA members also represent services in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.
Together our members provide care and support to 1.2 million people through residential, home-based and community services, whether commissioned by local authorities and the NHS or privately purchased. Together our members employ over 620,000 care workers.
Our members’ services include residential and nursing care, homecare, supported living and extra care housing, shared lives schemes, advocacy and telephone helplines. They support children, adults of working age and older people.
For more information on the Care Provider Alliance visit https://careprovideralliance.org.uk/about-us
Contact§
E-mail: media@homecareassociation.org.uk
Telephone: 020 8661 8160
Mobile: 07393012113