Our Team
Care First has transformed the lives of many adults with challenging behaviour, learning difficulties/disabilities, mental health and autism.

Neil Thorogood
Chairman and
Finance Director
Neil founded Care First with Chris and Veronica Winter in 1996. He had previously set up a residential care home for adults with learning disabilities in the early 1990’s and through this saw the need to establish greater learning opportunities for adults with LD.
More
Chris Winter
CEO
Chris provides strategic direction to the Group. Chris has worked within the Adult Social Care sector for over 35 years, teaching in a Special School, working with children with Autism, Learning Disabilities and behaviours of concern, working with families and crisis teams for children at risk of abuse.
MoreVeronica Winter
Director of
Governance and Ethics
Veronica is involved in sourcing various learning materials and resources for across the Care First Hub and working with co-directors on the Quality of Provision that Care First provides and to ensure compliance within the partnerships Care First holds with Councils and CCG’s.
MoreManagement Team
- Joel Winter – Operations Director Designate
- Emily Hobday – Business Operations Manager
- Jo Jeffs – Head of Health and Wellbeing
- Monika Gonciarz – Head of Clinical Services
- James Edwards – Head of HR
Background
For over three decades, the Directors have utilised their extensive experience in providing education and development to adults with learning disabilities and difficulties. The social and economic benefits of the provision is well proven and both Local Authorities and the NHS recognise this. Since establishing Care First in 1996, the Directors have delivered significant cost benefits and savings to the NHS and improved the lives of countless families.