Our Board

In addition to his executive roles, Craig has served as a non-executive director (NED) and Chair for various quoted, private, and charity-owned organisations. His focus in these roles has been on constructively challenging executive teams, enhancing corporate governance, and promoting diversity of thought at the board level, ensuring robust oversight and innovation.

Craig re-joined Be Caring in 2021 after spending time working in the US. He was drawn back by the company’s mission, its employee ownership model, and its commitment to innovation, but most of all, by the passion for care that is evident throughout the organisation. His return was motivated by a deep belief in the power of Be Caring’s values and its determination to make a lasting impact in the social care sector.

Outside of his professional life, Craig enjoys spending time with his wife Gisele and their two adult children. Their family also includes Ozzy, a spirited German Shepherd who keeps them active. In addition, Craig holds a private pilot’s licence and previously enjoyed skydiving, though he has since traded his parachute for life at a slightly slower pace!

Georg serves as a member of the Investment Committee of Big Issue Invest- a group of funds that provide finance to and support the growth of sustainable social, as well as for profit-with-purpose enterprises in the UK. He is also a member of the Ashoka Support Network, a global community of business leaders from a variety of fields who support Ashoka fellows (social entrepreneurs) both financially and strategically.

Georg also serves on the Board of Trustees of Client Earth, an international environmental charity that uses the power of law to protect people and the planet. Client Earth is comprised of over 100 full time lawyers across 6 offices in Europe and Asia who all work on finding practical solutions for the world’s biggest environmental challenges (climate change, protecting oceans and wildlife, making forest governance stronger, greener change, making business more responsible and pushing for government transparency). Client Earth work on laws throughout their lifetime, from the earliest stages to implementation. And when those laws are broken, Client Earth go to court to enforce them.

Georg’s previous expertise is in investment, Private Equity and Management Consultancy. He acted as a non-executive Director of Pillarstone, a KKR backed investment vehicle to restructure non-performing bank loans. His career in Private Equity was as Partner with Advent International (2003-2016) and JP Morgan Partners (1993-2003). At Advent International, he acted as general manager in the Frankfurt office. He then opened and was responsible for the Mumbai office before returning to London. At J.P. Morgan Partners, he worked in New York, London, and Munich, where he opened and headed up the office.

A Chartered Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development since 2007, Liz specialises in engaging with senior leadership teams to provide people-focused advice, coaching, and strategic project support. Based in Huddersfield, she works primarily with SMEs across various sectors, including councils, charities, and schools in northern England. Her previous roles include HR Manager at The Greetings Store Group Limited and serving as part of the HR team at Yorkshire Water.

Outside of work, Liz is deeply committed to community service. She is a Trustee at Lindley Methodist Church, where she provides pastoral care and works with children, and she fundraises for The Welcome Centre, a local foodbank. With a strong personal commitment to her family, Liz enjoys spending time with her husband of nearly 25 years and their two sons, as well as keeping active through walking, swimming, and skiing.

In her extensive experience across various organisations, Liz finds Be Caring unique. She highlights the organisation’s inclusive culture, where colleagues are supported to bring their authentic selves to work. Be Caring goes above and beyond for its clients, with the leadership team offering clear direction, prioritising people development, and fostering innovation. Liz emphasises that Be Caring’s values—Be Kind, Be Proud, Be the Best You Can Be, Be Happy, Be Safe, Be Involved—are truly lived out, making it a joy to work with the organisation.

Darshana’s diverse background includes work in education, health, social welfare, criminal justice, public transport, and sustainable travel. Her experience in these areas has given her a deep understanding of the challenges involved in delivering frontline services to marginalised communities. She has been integral in building public confidence and support through consultation, collaboration, and co-creation. Her expertise in understanding beneficiary and customer needs, alongside her commitment to inclusivity, ensures that the user journey remains responsive and person-centred.

In her current role, Darshana delivers campaigns and develops services that provide unpaid carers with a voice and shifts perceptions around social care. With personal experience of the daily challenges of caring for a loved one, she brings a compassionate and insightful perspective to the board. Her understanding of the carer’s experience informs her approach to shaping Be Caring’s services and ensures that the support provided is both impactful and sensitive.

Darshana’s involvement in developing EDI policies, inclusive language guides, and anti-racism statements in previous roles further strengthens her commitment to ensuring Be Caring remains person-centred and inclusive in all aspects of its work.

Lance’s career is uniquely diverse, spanning community care, social care, primary care, and acute hospital care. He is particularly recognised for his ability to lead turnaround projects for companies facing financial and cultural challenges. His reputation as a ‘fixer’ is well-established, with a proven track record of transforming struggling areas into successful, sustainable operations. In addition to his operational acumen, Lance is known as an innovator and creative thinker, having been at the forefront of significant changes in the care sector over the past two decades.

Driven by a passion for social justice and helping individuals realise their potential, Lance’s career began as a healthcare assistant in learning disabilities. His journey has seen him rise through various roles to achieve Chief Executive positions. Lance holds an MSc in Ethics in Health Care from Liverpool University and was awarded an MBE in 2000 for his services to Primary Care Nursing. He is also a Fellow of the Queen’s Nursing Institute and Northampton University, reflecting his outstanding contributions to nursing and healthcare.

Lance’s experience is vast, including key roles such as Chief Executive of Care Plus Group in Grimsby, where he managed 35 adult health and social care services across North East Lincolnshire. His work has consistently focused on delivering high-quality services across health and social care, particularly in older people’s care. He has also worked as an adviser to the Department of Health, providing expertise on governance arrangements for NHS Foundation Trusts and advising the Secretary of State on community care and social enterprises.

Lance’s leadership in creating care strategies, including writing the frailty strategy for health and social care across Kirklees, showcases his commitment to improving the care landscape. His wealth of experience and dedication to supporting people makes him an invaluable member of the Be Caring team.

Sharon graduated from the University of Sheffield with a BA (Hons) in Accounting & Financial Management & Mathematics and Qualified as a Management Accountant while working for the University of Sheffield – receiving a commendation from the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants.

For 5 years, Sharon worked for Save the Children as one of 5 Global Finance Managers, supporting in excess of 100 country programme teams working tirelessly to improve the lives of children.

Sharon became a Director of Finance at the age of 29 at a National Charity – Sova, who supported ex-offenders through mentoring, training and employment opportunities. While at Sova, Sharon set up a social enterprise in recycling, providing long term employment opportunities for ex-offenders in an emerging market.

In 2015, Sharon became Locala’s Director of Finance & Business Development, stabilising the organisation’s finances where she met Laura Mwamba and worked together to grow the organisation by £10m per annum (18%).

Laura’s experience is predominantly in business development, but with a background in youth work and substance misuse. Laura graduated in 2001 with a 1st class honours degree in Sports Development and Coaching at Sheffield Hallam University and achieved the highest grade in her school, receiving the Graham Solley Memorial Award.

Upon leaving university, Laura worked for 2 years with a local football-based community charity – Communities United Project, before moving on to Lifeline Project Ltd for 10 years, a national drug and alcohol charity. Here, Laura moved into bid writing and honed her business acumen before working briefly for the HSCIC as a Business Analyst, and then on to Locala as a Business Development Manager for 2 years – learning about NHS community services and contracts. In 2017, Laura was the Corporate Enabler Award Winner in 2017 for her outstanding contribution to the organisation. She successfully retained two large contracts, and gained new business. She also grew an existing part of the business, becoming the 2nd largest provider in Kirklees, by 75% – generating an income of £8.75m. Laura left Locala in March 2018 and went to South Yorkshire Housing Association, developing her leadership skills.