We are delighted to announce the appointment of Jane Smart in the role of CEO at LifeCare Residences.  We asked Jane to give an overview of her background and what motivates her.

“It is a privilege and honour for me to have accepted the role to lead LifeCare Residences UK. I believe it is a company that has a strong foundation of high expectations to meet the needs of residents and staff.

I was born and educated in South Africa before immigrating to New Zealand in the late 70’s. My parents grew up in England and met whilst in South Africa. I have two sons who, with their respective families, live in other parts of the world – Switzerland and Japan. And like anyone else, a lot of what I do and how I think has been shaped by my family and my overall life experiences. Many who know me will say I have high expectations – I am curious and have a thirst for learning. I fundamentally believe that when working, if we are not learning new things and communicating, we stop doing great things. Family, curiosity and hunger for knowledge all help to define me.

I have worked in the health sector, focussed on working with older people, for over 25 years. I qualified as a physiotherapist in South Africa and later completed further post graduate qualifications in leadership and management in New Zealand. This led me into the leadership and management roles in health in New Zealand – and more importantly retirement villages and nursing homes. I deviated from this path for a time and led Woman’s Golf New Zealand and later worked in development and construction. Above all else it’s the people who I have worked with, who have inspired me – and together we have done great things.

I am excited about building on the good foundation that LifeCare Residences already has, together. The last few years have been particularly difficult with the challenges of COVID-19, staffing and the other challenges families have faced. Overcoming these difficult times has already started and we will continue the journey together with our sense of responsibility, discipline and dedication to best serve our valued residents and the communities we operate in.”

Kind Regards

Jane Smart