Hartford Care appoints Nicky Barnes as chief operating officer

Nicky Barnes has been promoted from operations director to chief operating officer at Hartford Care.

Barnes began her career as a care assistant nearly 30 years ago. She worked in a range of roles in the sector before joining Hartford Care nearly a decade ago as regional manager. She was appointed quality director in 2021.

‘Having worked as a care assistant myself, I’m keenly aware of the responsibility our teams carry every day. A career in care truly is a vocation. My experiences on the front line of care have shaped my approach as a leader and reflect my commitment to creating every opportunity for my colleagues to build their own careers,’ Barnes said.

Kevin Shaw, chief executive officer at Hartford Care, said: ‘Nicky’s strong commitment to high-quality care and our “home from home” ethos means she is exceptionally well placed to take on the role of COO. As the Hartford Care portfolio continues to grow, so too does the breadth of experience and expertise under our stewardship. With social care firmly in the political spotlight, we will continue to provide high-quality care in the present, while leading innovation in technology and shaping the next generation of caregivers for tomorrow.’

Barnes’s promotion comes as Hartford Care Group merges with Select Healthcare Group following the acquisition of Select in January.

The merger will see Hartford Care responsible for overall management of all remaining Select homes. The Select brand will be retained for homes offering specialist support to those with complex medical needs, learning disabilities or psychological and emotional challenges. Residential, nursing and specialist dementia homes will continue to operate under the Hartford Care brand. The merger takes Hartford Care’s portfolio of 61 homes.