Exceptional staff supporting unique people.
We employ exceptional people to support unique individuals to stay healthy, be safe and to live well. Our 400+ employees are recruited based on their ability to put our values into practice every day and in everything that they do.
Our leadership team has personal experience of providing direct support to adults and children with learning disabilities, and their families. This means the day-to-day delivery of services is very real to the leadership team and we work hard to understand the developmental needs of our workforce to ensure the delivery of the best possible care and support to the people using our services.
Chief Executive Officer, Gabby, has over 25 years’ management and leadership experience. She works closely with the leadership team to ensure we achieve our vision and that our values are practiced every day, in everything we do. Formally a Nurse, Support Worker, Operations Manager, and Director, she became our Chief Executive in 2006.
Andrew is our Director of Finance and Assistant Chief Executive. After leaving university, he became a Support Worker in 1988 and over the years has had managerial responsibility for organisational fundraising, marketing, facilities management, and finance. His role is to develop and maximise our resources for the benefit of the people we support as well as ensuring we have the right infrastructure to meet the demands of a growing organisation. Andrew is committed to delivering services which optimise opportunities for people to lead full and independent lives.
Mandy has been our Director of Services since 2018. Mandy started her professional career as a chef and once qualified she did what many chefs do, she became a support worker. Mandy uses her extensive experience to ensure we deliver high quality services, concentrating on compliance, safeguarding, and development. Mandy is driven by her desire to ensure people with learning disabilities live dignified lives where they experience life’s opportunities in all its forms and can grow, and develop and achieve their dreams and aspirations.
Brian joined us in January 2019 after having been Vice Principal of a large adult education college. Brian has worked in Human Resources in adult education and the hospitality sector since 1991, and has lived in London since leaving school. The values, mission and ambition of the Society drew him to this role, and he is excited to join the team. Brian enjoys cycling, hiking and photography. His role is to ensure we have a workforce with the values, skills and flexibility to meet future needs and demands.
Tim joined us in 2005, and has managed many of our services in that time. He is passionate about creativity, leadership and developing people to ensure everyone can achieve their aspirations, both people with learning disabilities and our staff. As our Head of Adult Services, he works to develop innovative tools and training programmes to meet the needs of the department. He has a particular interest in safeguarding, CQC and business continuity. Tim believes in the positive difference that everyone can make given the right support and opportunities.
Sanchia joined us in September 2018 after working in education for 39 years including being a head teacher for 11 years. Sanchia joined WSPLD as her retirement plan is to give back to the community and to focus on special needs and disabilities especially autism. Sanchia is committed to the society’s values and fully appreciates all the hard work that the society does with vulnerable people. She is passionate about early education and believes the first years of life are a crucial stage of development.
“I started in November 2016 as a support worker, after studying health and social care at university. It’s really nice working with service users, completely different – in a good way – from studying. You get to know everyone. The team push you too – they encourage you. It’s really good – just go for it and do all you can. ”
Jenneh, Newly promoted to Assistant Team Manager
