Our executive leadership team boasts decades of experience in the sector and are dedicated to making Bolton Cares a leading name in local care and support. Each member of the team is committed to making Bolton Cares THRIVE.
Rhian Stone Managing Director
Rhian is a highly experienced executive leader with an exemplary track record of providing strong and inspirational leadership in social care settings and transforming complex organisations.
With over 15 years’ experience at Executive Director level, Rhian has successfully led social care and housing companies with 1200+ staff teams, across multiple geographies through challenging times, achieving significant growth, improved quality and governance. A qualified social worker, she has worked in social care for 35 years and has a lifelong passion for making a positive impact on the lives of people who need support.
Her experience spans learning disability, mental health, complex needs, older people, young people’s services, homelessness and substance misuse. She has developed innovative and ground- breaking services in partnership with people who need them and is a passionate advocate for the improving the quality of the homes and built environment is social care settings.
In her early career she held high profile policy roles within the NSPCC and Barnardos and led the cross government Young People’s Substance misuse programme in the Department for Education for four years.
“It’s a privilege to lead Bolton Cares as Managing Director, into our next era – working with the Board, colleagues and people we support to continue to provide high quality care and support across all our services and realise our ambitions to grow and do more for the communities across Bolton, Wigan and Salford into the future.
Angela Walker, Head of People
Angela joined Bolton Cares in 2019. As HR Business Partner for Adult Services at Bolton Council, Angela led the transfer of 400 staff from Bolton Council to the newly formed Bolton Cares Ltd. Angela is a CIPD qualified practitioner and has significant experience across HR, learning and development, and operational development.
Angela leads Bolton Cares ‘People’ function ensuring we have a skilled workforce. She has a real passion for investing in the current and future social care workforce, culture change and wellbeing.
“I want to support the company to make Bolton Cares a great place to work with well-developed people managers and a supportive environment
I’m so excited to help turn the huge potential we have within the company into a reality. It’s brilliant to see all people, however they are connected to Bolton Cares whether through our various opportunities or our employees, thriving.”
Lisa Antoni, Head of Finance & Resources
Lisa joined Bolton Cares in 2017 as Finance, Audit & Resources Manager after coming to the conclusion that she wanted to work for a sector that makes a positive difference to people’s lives and the community.
She has a wealth of experience in finance having worked in both utilities and manufacturing industries leading on organisation-wide business services including, finance teams, health and safety, audit, quality, ICT and efficiency programmes. Lisa now leads all of the Bolton Cares support services and is dedicated to ensuring the compliance and financial stability of the company.
“We are trying to bring fresh eyes to traditional care and are using technology to create a more innovative and exciting model. The sector is changing and our investments will help achieve our vision and ensure the company operates sustainably for the long term, while also raising the quality of opportunity across the board.
Different ways of thinking will help with this journey and enable Bolton Cares to grow and develop while enabling our workforce to thrive and get the most out of their career.”
Joanna Jackson, Head of Services
Jo joined Bolton Cares in 2017 and as Head of Services, leading Bolton Cares’ Older Peoples, Mental Health and Community Services. She has always had a passion for improving the lives of older people, particularly those with a dementia diagnosis and made her decision to have a career in the sector when she was 15.
Having worked in the commercial sector for several years, she has designed, delivered and led prestigious extra care and older people’s community villages across the North of England. Jo is continuously looking for new and creative ways of supporting people.
“Working at Bolton Cares means that I get to work with great colleagues every day who enable me to be creative and try new ideas. I am part of a team that gives 110% for the benefit of communities they work in.
I can see personally how people benefit from the work we do. I am passionate about listening to what people want to do in their life and making it happen, ensuring that people really have choice and control over their care and support.”
Jillian Lockett, Head of Services
Jillian joined Bolton Cares in 2020 and as Head of Services leading the company’s learning disability offer. Having led services across the public, private and third sector for individuals with learning disabilities and autism spectrum conditions, Jillian has experience in all aspects of operational leadership in relation to regulated and non-regulated care services.
Jillian is passionate about improving the quality of life of the people we support and ensuring everyone is a valued member of society.
“Every day at Bolton Cares is focused on the people we support. We make sure to celebrate the achievements of our teams and every success excites me and keeps me focused. I want the people we support to aspire and dream and for our staff to support them to achieve their ambitions.
Working for Bolton Care has brought the joy back to my working life. Each and every day, I can see how the efforts of our teams are making a difference and changing people’s lives.”
Lica Marchant, Head of Services
Lica joined the Bolton Cares Group in 2021 and as Head of Services leading Bolton Cares’ Life Opportunities, Short Breaks and Shared Lives.
With over 30 years’ experience in social care Lica is a passionate advocate for championing the voice of people and challenging the status quo. This has included leading statutory multi-disciplinary teams, executive roles in both housing and private sector care and development work with Government.
Lica is delighted to work with colleagues across Bolton Cares in the journey of supporting people in their aspirations, making the most of opportunities and making every-day count.
Her philosophy is that there is no greater joy nor greater reward than to make a fundamental difference in someone’s life. The price of taking no action is far greater than the cost of getting it wrong. Be bold and take positive risks.
I believe that there is no greater joy nor greater reward than to make a fundamental difference in someone’s life. The price of not acting is far greater than the cost of getting it wrong. Being able to be bold and taking positive risks are what I love about working for the Bolton Cares Group.
Najma Patel, Head of Digital Performance and Marketing
Najma joined Bolton Cares in 2019 as an ICT Project Manager, in this role she implemented the company’s core systems which brought efficiencies to the business. In May 2023, Najma was appointed the Head of Digital, Performance and Marketing.
Najma started her career in local government as an apprentice where she continued in various roles. A large part of her experience has been spent working in the digital field designing accessible and usable services online working with people various disabilities through assistive technology.
Working at Bolton Cares has shifted my perspective; it’s centred on the people and the potential that technology unlocks. The daily impact on people’s lives through our innovative application of new technology is what makes my role both exciting and rewarding.