Karim Lalani

Chief Executive

Karim has over 40 years’ experience of founding and running successful businesses with prudent fiscal management and capitalisation, from start-ups, to retail and healthcare. He strives to help vulnerable groups in society wherever possible. The Beeches is run as a controlled multi-site growth programme to develop high quality education in Peterborough and regionally respected Ofsted regulated children’s care services across the UK.

Rebecca Ouellani

Director of Operations

Rebecca has worked in children’s care for over 14 years and has held several positions within this sector, including residential care specialising in supporting children with emotional difficulties, learning disabilities, and challenging behaviours. She has a range of qualifications including Diploma 5 NVQ 4 in Management, and NVQ 4 in Health and Social Care, ILM Level 5, and BTEC Level 4 in Education and Training.

Greg Lapham

Corporate Development Director

Greg has over 20 years of experience in adult and children’s specialist services at executive level. He has an extensive background of developing new business, and is experienced in creating and enhancing brands with a primary focus on exceeding expectations for service delivery, whilst ensuring optimum commercial performance, growth, and most importantly, improving outcomes for young people.

Shazia Lalani

Marketing Director

Shazia has a broad range of B2B and B2C Marketing experience gained from several years of working across companies in professional services and retail. She has a Professional Diploma from the Chartered Institute of Marketing, and is skilled in digital marketing, end-to-end campaign project management, PR, events, and client relationship management.

Dionne Lee-Chang

Head of Operations

Dionne has many years of experience within children, young people, and adult social care. She was previously a Regional Head of Compliance and Operations where she led on several initiatives including a restructure following the recession caused by the Covid period. Her qualifications include Level 5 Diploma in Leadership for Health and Social Care and Children & Young People’s Services, and Designated Safeguarding Lead Level 3.

Michelle Robinson

Head of Operations & Responsible Individual

Michelle has worked in childcare settings for over 13 years, working with children with EBD and Learning Difficulties. Michelle has worked in several positions within residential children’s homes, including assurance. She has a range of qualifications including Level 5 Diploma Leadership and Management, Level 1 DDP (Dyadic Developmental Psychology) and Level 4 Train the Trainer.

Debbie Briston

Registered Manager (Cherry Blossom House)

Debbie has worked within the childcare industry for the last 17 years. She has completed several qualifications including NVQ Level 3 in Play Work and Management, Diploma 18 Level 3 for Residential Childcare, and Diploma Level 5 in Leadership and Management.

Jane Twaite

Registered Manager (The Willows)

Jane worked in a variety of care settings before becoming a Registered Manager, and holds the following qualifications: Level 5 Diploma Leadership and Management (Children and Young People), Level 4 Diploma Leadership and Management for Care Services, Level 4 Diploma Health and Social Care (Children and Young People), Level 3 QCF Health and Social Care (Adults), and Level 3 NVQ Health and Social Care (Children and Young People).

Joanna Payne

Registered Manager (Small Acres)

Joanna has worked with young people for approximately 18 years in residential care where she has predominantly worked with young people involved in or vulnerable to CSE/CCE and associated risks. She also spent time within the Youth Justice system and two years with supported living for young adults. Her current qualifications include Level 4 and 5 Diploma Children and Young People, Level 4 Training and Education, and also an ILM Level 5 in Management.

Gavin Willmot

Registered Manager (The Cedars)

Gavin has been working in the health and social care industry for over 25 years – working with adults with disabilities and in psychiatric care before moving into the children and young people’s sector in 2008. Gavin holds a Level 3 in Residential Childcare, and a Level 5 in Leadership and Management.

Paula Pearson

Registered Manager (The Pines)

Paula came to The Beeches with over 20 years’ experience in the care industry including six years in the residential childcare sector. She has completed her DDP Level 1 which is the theory to the PACE model, and uses this within her home. Paula also holds her Level 5 Diploma Leadership and Management (Children and Young People), Level 3 Diploma Children and Young People Workforce, and Level 3 Diploma Health and Social Care.

Samantha Thompson

Registered Manager (The Maples & Rose House)

Samantha has worked in the childcare industry for over 25 years, including as a Nursery Manager and Operations Manager with children 0 to 19 years old. She joined The Beeches as a Deputy Manager and has progressed quickly to Registered Manager. Sam has completed her Level 3 and 4 Practitioners in Childcare, Level 3 in Child Care, and Level 5 Diploma Leadership and Management (Children and Young People).

Abigail Brown

Head of Education – The Beeches Independent School

Abigail has always been passionate about working with children and wanting to have a positive impact on their lives, which led her to study Education and Psychology at university. She then went straight into teaching and has continuously worked hard ever since, and demonstrated a determination to enrich her pupils’ lives, resulting in her becoming Head of Education.

Abs Latif

Head of HR & Payroll

Abs has over 15 years’ experience in developing, recruiting, inducting, training, and leading teams. His expertise spans the entire HR lifecycle, from recruitment and onboarding, to talent development and employee engagement. His qualifications include a Degree in Computer Communication and IT, HR Management – Advance, and GDPR Practitioner.

Karen Fowler

Placements Manager

Karen has extensive experience within the children and young people’s social care industry. She has in-depth knowledge of safeguarding, and experience with building excellent rapport with young people and Local Authority teams across England. Her qualifications include BA Hon Psychosocial Studies, HE Diploma – Social Work and Community Work, and Level 3 Designated Safeguarding.

Dr Kamal Khan

Group Head of Systems Development & Data

Kamal has extensive experience in developing and establishing quality management systems, based on a variety of national and international accreditation standards. He was previously an internal auditor and science teacher, and has a Doctorate in Finance, BSc (Hons) Pharmacology, and Masters in Business Administration & Quality Management System.

Kazim Kassam

IT & AI Specialist

Kazim is an experienced web developer specialising in full-stack development with over six years of expertise across both MERN and LAMP stacks. He excels in building dynamic, user-focused websites that drive engagement and business growth. Skilled in front-end technologies like React and Vue.js, and back-end frameworks including Node.js, Python, and PHP, Kazim has a proven track record of delivering tailored solutions to meet diverse business needs.

Ganesh Kandiapillai

Finance Manager

Ganesh is a highly qualified Accountant with over 25 years of retail and industry experience. He is skilled in managing the complete accounting cycle of control, planning, budgeting, and reporting of companies. He qualifications include CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting, and BA (Hons) Accounting and Finance.

Jade Waterman

Training Manager

Jade has held various operational and managerial roles across Children’s Homes and Supported Accommodation services. She holds a Level 5 qualification in Leadership and Management (Distinction) and a Level 3 Award in Education and Training. She is also a certified Level 2 Safeguarding Train the Trainer, Fire Marshal Trainer, and Emergency First Aid at Work Trainer.

Marie Bliss

Executive Assistant

Marie spent 18 years as an EA at Tesco, supporting Government Affairs, Corporate Responsibility, and Group Communications. Alongside her role, she volunteered as a mentor for women in prison and later with SHOUT 24/7. Over the past two years, Marie embraced new challenges, including working with patients on a CAMHS ward, and contributing to The Medical Research Network.

Helen Copeland

HR Advisor

Helen joined The Beeches team in November 2021 as an HR Advisor, having had over 25 years’ experience across Management and HR functions, including recruitment, induction, writing and delivering training, and development and leading of teams. She holds various qualifications including Diploma – Human Resources, ILM – Leadership and Management, and CPD – Safer Recruitment.