Meet  the Salutem Team

The Executive Team

John Godden

John Godden

CEO

Bio

Meet John, the heart and soul behind Salutem, a journey that began back in 2016. His dream was simple yet profound: to create an organisation that prioritises a genuine culture of care. How did he do it, you ask? Well, he started by seeking out exceptional care services that were, in his eyes, diamonds in the rough. These services had potential but needed the right environment to truly flourish.

John also had a vision for the future, one where the next generation of care and specialist education facilities could thrive. But his ambition did not stop there. He set his sights on fostering a culture of excellence, not just in the delivery of care but also in how employees were supported and developed.

Ken Hillen

Ken Hillen

Chairman

Bio

Ken has been a key player at Salutem since its very inception. He is not your typical Chairman – he is an active force behind the scenes, and his journey here is nothing short of remarkable.

Ken’s story starts in the world of banking, a career that spans an impressive 35 years. Ken brings a wide range of experiences to the Salutem Group based on his roles as Chairman or Non-Executive Director of both Listed and Private Companies. Ken has advised companies on a whole range of things from TV masts in Brazil, electric generators in a desert in Turkey, equipment in the North Sea and the biggest mayonnaise factory in West Africa.

Outside of work, you will find Ken with his three pugs Fearne, Penny and Piper or out and around his local area training for a 10k.

Paul Lawes

Paul Lawes

Group Chief Financial Officer

Bio

Paul wears many hats in our team. He’s not just the finance guy; he’s the brain behind our financial strategy, and he leads our fantastic finance team. But wait, there’s more! He’s also the go-to person for all things banking, and he’s a vital member of our Board.

Before joining us, Paul worked some financial magic over at Trenchard Aviation, a fast-growing aircraft maintenance business that had the backing of Graphite Capital. As CFO there, Paul navigated the company through four acquisitions and a major finance makeover.

But that’s not all! He also had a stint as the CFO at No1 Lounges, a top-notch airport lounge, travel spa, and pod hotel business that has won its fair share of awards. And if that doesn’t impress you, he spent over a decade with the Virgin Group, where he dabbled in tax, finance, and corporate development. With all that experience under his belt, it’s no surprise that Paul is a chartered accountant, and a chartered tax advisor and he even holds an MBA from the prestigious Cranfield School of Management.

Gary Laville

Gary Laville

Group Quality & Governance Director

Bio

Gary is our dedicated champion for the quality and safety of our services. But here is the thing – Gary’s not your typical corporate figure. He is someone who has been on a remarkable journey, working with people with disabilities for over 30 years.

Before joining us, Gary was the Director of Quality for a national care provider. There, he was not about numbers and regulations; he was all about making a real difference in people’s lives. Gary knew what “good” looked like, and he knew what truly worked for individuals. One of the most incredible things about Gary is how he transformed the services he oversaw. It was not about meetings and reports; it was about getting down to the grassroots, and collaborating closely with service managers, leaders, and other professionals in our organisation.

Gary’s philosophy is simple but profound: “To be part of other people’s lives in a meaningful way is a privilege, and to reach for the stars with them is powerful.” In other words, he believes that every day is a chance to make someone’s life better, and he’s here to do just that.

Kirstie Jones

Kirstie Jones

Chief People Officer

Bio

Kirstie isn’t just our go-to person for all things HR and training; she’s the rock behind our team’s well-being and growth. With 30 years of HR experience, including a deep dive into the world of care, Kirstie knows how to make our team thrive. You could say she’s our employment law wizard and a real people champion. She’s the driving force behind our People Strategy, making sure we’ve got the right plans in place to support every member of our Salutem family. 

But Kirstie’s not just about corporate stuff; she’s all about making a real impact. As a result, we see more of our fantastic colleagues sticking around and our employee engagement scores soaring. 

When you ask Kirstie what keeps her going, it’s simple – it’s all about you, our Salutem family. She loves seeing each one of us living our best lives. That’s what makes her tick, and that’s why she’s dedicated to making sure we get the consistent, top-notch support we deserve. Because when you’re out there, enjoying life to the fullest, it’s a win for all of us!  

Claire Collins

Claire Collins

Group Director Corporate Services

Bio

Say hello to Claire – our regulatory and legal expert at Salutem. With two decades of experience in the financial world, she’s the professional we can count on. Claire kicked off her career at Paribas, diving into Fixed Income sales. Before joining Salutem, Claire worked at IHS Markit, a global financial info hub (you might’ve heard of it on the NYSE). Claire was the head of the EMEA relationship team. Claire’s our expert when it comes to regulations and making things run smoothly.

In her role, Claire leads the Corporate Services team to ensure we deliver on our corporate responsibilities along with legal work on contract negotiations and property leases. Arranging services to benefit all of our locations such as insurance cover is a key part of her work.

Outside of work, Claire enjoys spending time with family and friends including her beloved dog. Claire is a bit of a foodie and always jumps at the chance of going to a food festival, especially sampling new flavours and foods.

Richard Broughton

Richard Broughton

Chief Commercial Officer

Bio

Meet Richard, a compassionate architect with a wealth of experience spanning 25 years within the UK’s health and social care sector. Initially drawn to the field by his passion for crafting functional and inviting spaces, Richard’s journey has evolved to prioritise the well-being and experiences of the individuals who inhabit these environments. Through his dedication to service development and delivery, Richard has shifted his focus from physical structures to fostering genuine connections and meaningful interactions within these spaces.

Driven by a genuine interest in people and a desire for deeper engagement, Richard has become deeply involved in co-produced care service thinking, development, and operational delivery. This shift reflects his commitment to ensuring that every design not only meets practical needs but also enhances the overall quality of life for those it serves. Richard’s approach emphasises collaboration and inclusivity, inviting stakeholders to actively participate in shaping the services that impact their lives.

For Richard, the joy of his work lies in its variety, challenges, and the profound sense of purpose it brings. He finds fulfilment in the opportunity to effect positive change, engage with diverse communities, and collaborate with like-minded teams dedicated to making a difference. Richard’s journey in the health and social care sector is not just a career but a deeply rewarding vocation, one for which he feels immense gratitude and motivation each day.

The Senior Leadership Team

Rachel Deans

Rachel Deans

Group Head of Learning and Organisational Development

Michael Albero

Michael Albero

Group Head of Regulation and Compliance

Melinda Glover

Melinda Glover

Group Head of Quality Assurance and Inspection

Diana Maddocks

Diana Maddocks

Operational Finance Manager

Melanie Hurst

Melanie Hurst

Group Financial Controller

Dave Pagett

Dave Pagett

Group Head of IT

Andrew Lillington

Andrew Lillington

Group Head of Business Development

Emma Madge

Emma Madge

Group Head of HR

Dawn Halsey

Dawn Halsey

Group Head of Maintenance

Jackie Sanger

Jackie Sanger

Group Head of Payroll and Pensions

Ann Holt

Ann Holt

Divisional Director (Adults)

Chris Brown

Chris Brown

Divisional Director (Education)

Karen Jackson

Karen Jackson

Divisional Director (Children & Young People)

Sally Jobling

Sally Jobling

Divisional Director (Supported Living)

Meet Our  IWS 

Check out  our success stories 

Welcome to Salutem's inspiring world of care and learning! Discover real, raw stories of transformation from our community. Meet extraordinary individuals whose lives have dramatically improved and immerse yourself in their everyday experiences. Get ready for a journey of joy and inspiration as we change lives, one story at a time!