McGuire to head up ‘major social care provider’ as charities announce merger
Two charities providing support to people with learning disabilities, autism and mental health needs, have announced they are to merge.
Choice Support and mcch, who will soon operate as Partnership Support Group (PSG), estimate the combined organisation will have an annual turnover of £66 million, providing support to 2300 people and employing 3000 staff.
Both organisations say they are financially viable and there are no plans for service closures or cuts to front-line staff as a result of the merger.
Sarah Maguire (pictured), Choice Support’s Managing Director, will become the Chief Executive of PSG. She says: “Both mcch and Choice Support believe that merging will create a stronger charity that can offer enhanced services to beneficiaries. We’ll become a major new provider in social care, offering support and housing expertise across the country.
“This is a great opportunity for us to redefine the way we deliver social care. We’ll be continuing all the good things that both organisations do currently, while exploring new ways of collaborating with families and commissioners. We’ll share best practice from both organisations and encourage more innovation. In time we’ll be able to offer a broader range of services to people we support. It’s an exciting development.”
The Directors’ Group (the senior leadership team of PSG) will be:
- CEO
Sarah Maguire (current Choice Support Managing Director) - Group Director – Finance, Payroll and ICT
Debbie Bankole-Williams (current mcch Finance and IT Director) - Group Director – HR
Mark Ferry (current Choice Support Deputy Managing Director and Director of Corporate Services) - Group Director – Operations Learning Disability
David Jackson (current Choice Support Director of Operations North) - Group Director – Operations Mental Health and Autism
Mel Shad (current mcch Director of Mental Health) - Group Director – Housing and Development
Richard Webb (current mcch Housing Director) - Director of Integration and Transformation
Brendan Smith (current Choice Support Director of ICT and Programmes)
To oversee the transition, a PSG Board of Trustees has been formed from former Trustees of both Choice Support and mcch, which will be chaired by Oliver Mills.
Commenting on the merger, Mr Mills, said: “Social care is facing unprecedented financial challenges. By merging our two charities, which share the same values and strong track records in supporting people with learning disabilities, autism or mental health needs to live independent lives, we are creating a stronger organisation better equipped to face these challenges.”
