Senior Management Team

Meridian Healthcare Limited owns and operates care centres across the North of England. All our care centres are purpose-built for the care of older people and do not include any building conversions.  The company is independent and governed by a Board of Directors.

We have centralised finance, human resources, quality assurance, training and marketing functions at our Head Office in Hyde, Cheshire. In addition, our senior operations staff are based at our head office, although they all have a roving remit.  Our Head Office personnel handle client invoicing and payment queries.

Alan Firth (FCCA)

Alan has over 20 year's service of working within the Healthcare Sector. A qualified accountant by profession, he was appointed as Managing Director of Meridian Healthcare in 1993 prior to becoming Executive Chairman in 2008.

Susan Firth - Managing Director

Susan was appointed to the post of M.D. in 2008. She has been instrumental in driving quality standards up, with all Meridian care centres achieving a 'Good' or 'Excellent' CQC rating. She has extensive commercial experience within the sector, previously holding the role of Operations Director for the company for a number of years.

Barry Brooks (FCA) - Finance Director

Barry is a qualified Chartered Accountant who joined Meridian in February 2002. He worked for Price Waterhouse for 5 years and prior to joining Meridian was the Group Finance Director for a UK quoted computer manufacturer & networking services Company. Barry is responsible for all aspects of the Group finance function including treasury and accounts production.

Tessa Matthews  - Head of Marketing and Public Relations

Responsible for all aspects of Meridian Healthcare's marketing activity, Tessa is an experienced marketing professional. Tessa was awarded Care Marketer of the Year in 2006. 

Sharon Wood - Quality Assurance Manager

Sharon brings over 20 years experience within the care sector to her role as Quality Assurance Manager. Sharon manages the Quality Assurance team, who provide auditing, care plan and health and safety support for the group and has successfully supported ongoing achievement for IIP for all care centres, as well as maintaining quality systems throughout the company.

Emma joined Meridian in 2011 and brings a wealth of HR experience to the role, having previously worked as a Regional HR Business Partner for a large care home provider for numerous years. Prior to that Emma also worked in HR for both Legal Services and The British Red Cross. Emma manages the HR Team who provide advice and support to the business on all employee related matters and initiatives, including recruitment and training.

Bernice Priest - Senior Operations Manager

Bernice was appointed as Senior Operations Manager in 2010 for Meridian. She leads a team of Regional Operations Managers who have overall management control of Meridian's entire Care Centre portfolio.  Her experience spans over 30 years within the sector starting her career as a care assistant. She has worked her way up through care centre management and spent many years as a Regional Operations Manager prior to this senior role within Meridian.  Bernice is experienced at managing large and complex care centre environments.

Debbie Thomson - Regional Operations Manager

Debbie currently manages a portfolio of homes spanning a number of LA boroughs and offering nursing, dementia and residential care services. She was previously a Care Centre Manager and boasts over 25 years experience in the sector.

Sarah Molloy - Regional Operations Manager

Sarah manages a diverse set of care centres, including residential and dementia services. Prior to taking on the role of Regional Operations Manager, Sarah worked as a Care Centre Manager for Meridian Healthcare and has also experience of Care Centre Management with a large corporate care provider in the sector. 

Joanne Hempstock - Regional Operations Manager

A 'Care Marketeer of the Year' winner when she was Care Centre Manager of White Rose House. With over 10 years experience in care centre management, Joanne brings a range of skills to her role as Regional Operations Manager. She manages a diverse portfolio of homes including those offering nursing, residential and specialist dementia care services.

Theresa Oddie RGN - Clinical Manager

Theresa was appointed in 2005 as our Clinical Lead and is responsible for ensuring best clinical practice in our nursing care centres. She is  a qualified nurse and practiced as such before taking on management positions which included care centre management and periapatetic troubleshooting roles for large corporate care operators.