Adult health and social care organisation Care Dorset has announced the appointment of Caroline Tapster as its new Chair of the Board of Directors.
The appointment was approved at the Care Dorset Shareholders Committee, held at County Hall, Dorchester, today (THURS).
Caroline has held the position on an interim basis since the previous chair left in October last year.
The appointment follows a selection process that took place on 6 June at Castleman Plus, Blandford, which involved people Care Dorset support, colleagues, families of people they support and non-executive directors.
Steve Veevers, Care Dorset Managing Director, said: “We are pleased to welcome Caroline’s appointment as chair; she has a wealth of experience which has already been of great support to Care Dorset over the time she held the position on an interim basis. We all welcome the appointment, and we are very pleased she can continue with the excellent work she has been doing.”
Caroline retired from full-time work 10 years ago when she was Chief Executive of Hertfordshire County Council.
Since then, she has been, among other roles, a non-executive director for the Disclosure and Barring Services at the Home Office, a trustee for the Terence Higgins Trust and a non-executive director for University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust.
Caroline, who is also a CBE, said: “I am delighted to be appointed as the Chair for Care Dorset. I have a strong connection with Dorset and look forward to working with the Care Dorset team.
“As a people-focused organisation and with a personal passion for involvement and engagement, I will be working with partners to ensure the voices of the people we support, their families and carers and colleagues are heard and reflected in the work we do. I am looking forward to meeting with people we support, families and colleagues as I begin to visit our locations in the coming weeks.”
Jane Somper, Portfolio Holder for People, Adult Social Care, Health and Housing for Dorset Council, said: “Caroline’s experience of working in local authority, health and social care organisations, along with her fresh approach, is a great asset to Care Dorset. Her knowledge is a rare find and brings a fresh approach which is greatly welcomed.”
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Notes to reporters
Care Dorset, which launched in October 2022, is an independent company wholly owned by Dorset Council; this is known as a Local Authority Trading Company.
It is an adult care service provider offering residential services, day opportunities, reablement services and support living services.
Announcement issued by Deep South Media on behalf of Care Dorset.