Karen Barr

Services

With my extensive skills and experience, I am committed to helping others develop and reach their own potential with the Health and Social Care Sector.

Key Services

How can I help?

  • Business Management Consultancy
  • Leadership Services
  • Project Management
  • Learning & Development

These key services are applicable to:

  • Chief Executive / Senior Director role in Housing, Care, Regulation and Local Government
  • Change Management / Leadership
  • Strategic Planning for Change, Continuous Improvement, Delivery Models, Effective Implementation Planning and Partnerships & Collaboration
  • Training & Development Plans including Mentoring, Work-placed Assessments and Student Supervision
  • Policy Development for Strategy, Change and Delivery
  • Financial Scrutiny of Budgeting and Delivery Models
  • Managing, Negotiating and Supporting staff through Change, Self-Development, Dispute & Resolution
  • Research and Interrogation of/for Services, Performance, Improvement
  • Performance Management Techniques, Models and Solutions

Testimonials

David Belfall

On re-joining the Board, I was immediately struck by the firm grip Karen had on the full width of the business as Chief Executive. Her written work – including minutes – have always been of a high standard, and have combined that with an ability to work productively with the Board and its Committees, planning and structuring agendas, always addressing points made, coming back with information which she perhaps did not immediately have to hand and prepared to argue her case vigorously when need be.

I am particularly grateful for the way in which she dealt with points – good and bad – which I have raised from time to time, always responding thoughtfully and constructively. She have always given 110%.

Geoff Hepburn

Karen successfully managed a complex organisation throughout ridiculously complicated circumstances whilst maintaining a positive focus on keeping the staff motivated, residents safe and warm and at same time, kept a challenging board at bay.

There’s plate-spinning and there’s plate spinning/plate-juggling/plate-making/plate-replacing/plate-throwing and downright gold-plated management.

What an immense effort to deliver, but Karen nailed it.  She should be rightfully proud of her achievements.

Ken Robertson, Ken Robertson Associates

Karen assumed the role of CEO during a challenging time for Abbeyfield as the business endeavoured to diversify while at the same time continuing to face the difficult long-term dynamics of a changing care sector. From day one it was clear to me that Karen had a complete understanding of the ASL business; commitment to the highest care standards; a very positive leadership style for employees both at head office and across the ASL network of houses and a tireless work ethic.

Working with a changing – and often demanding – Board could not have been easy for Karen but she dealt with Board members and the changing fortunes of the business with tenacity, rigour and strength of character. Her understanding of the care sector was instrumental as was her unfailing ability to respond positively to a highly challenging workload.

ASL under Karen’s leadership went through the worst of the Covid-19 Pandemic unscathed. At the same time, Karen had to prepare Abbeyfield for a potential transfer of the business into Blackwood, a task that she and her team accomplished with outstanding success.

Nance Smith

Karen has been an integral part of ASL since its inception in 2008 being employed in a number of management roles and, since 2018, CE0 (Group). She led ASL through the Pandemic, managing her team to maintain the highest of standards in the most difficult and challenging of circumstances.

Karen has consistently met her objectives and, as CEO, overseen good governance achieving Compliant in SHR’s Annual Assurance Statements.  As CEO, she has led the collaboration with Blackwood Homes and Care into the Transfer of Engagements achieving a successful residents’ ballot and a smooth transition for both residents and staff.