The Independent Care Group appoints new CEO and operations manager

The Independent Care Group (ICG) has appointed a new chief executive and new operations director as the company prepares to expand next year.

Nick Swash has joined the ICG as its full-time chief executive. Mr Swash has worked in the business environment for some years and has extensive experience in many commercial environments which he will bring to the ICG.

John Pattinson has joined as the new operations director. Mr Pattinson has spent many years with the NHS and brings vast experience of health and social care to the ICG.

ICG chair Mike Padgham said: “This is an exciting and pivotal moment for the ICG as we look to expand our membership and influence within the social care sector. “The sector is going through a tough and challenging period and providers have never needed support more than they do today.

“These appointments mark a very exciting move forward for the ICG as we continue our growth and development.”

The changes follow a decision by the ICG’s current acting chief executive, Beverley Procter, to leave the organisation early in 2022 to move to a post in the NHS.

Mr Padgham said: “We are extremely grateful to Beverley for all she has done for the ICG over the past few years.”

“She has managed the organisation through the most challenging period for care providers, supported our members brilliantly and helped us to move the ICG forward. We wish her well for the future.”

'We are now in an excellent position to move forward'

The IGC is a recognised representative body for independent care providers. It works on behalf of care providers for all client groups including care homes, domiciliary care agencies, supported living and extra care housing providers, and day care centres in the private and voluntary parts of the independent sector.

Speaking about the future of the ICG, Mr Padgham said: “Next year we will be expanding our reach, improving and growing our services and increasing our influence. These two key appointments will help us to do that.

“Social care providers have been on their knees for too long. It is time that we raised our voices and fought for the proper recognition our amazing sector deserves.

“Social care looks after more than a million people and employs 1.6m people – it is time we got the recognition for that.”

“The ICG has achieved great things in recent years. We have become influential and listened to the organisation. We are now in an excellent position to move forward and grow in terms of size and influence in the years ahead.”

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