A NORTH EAST social care expert is in the running for two major awards, in recognition of his pioneering work.
Dr Guy Turnbull, 50, of Care and Share Associates has been nominated in the prestigious, Great British Care Awards in the Outstanding Contribution to Social Care category.
And at the same time he has also been shortlisted for the EY Entrepreneur of the Year, which if successful could see him go forward to the World Entrepreneur finals in Monaco in 2017.
Dr Turnbull has been involved with the co-operative and the social enterprise sector since 1988, which has led to his present role as managing director of CASA (Care and Share Associates).
CASA is an employee-owned social enterprise which provides high quality home care to allow people to retain their independence and was founded by Guy and three others, to replicate the success of Sunderland Home Care Associates.
CASA now has branches in North Tyneside, Newcastle, Knowsley, Leeds, Manchester and Warrington and delivers over 17,000 hours of home care per week.
Guy helped pioneer employee-ownership of the business, with all staff given shares, a profit share and a voice in how the organisation is run.
This has meant that CASA – which has been successful in winning major contracts – has a high retention level of staff and stays true to its motto of “people before profit.”
Dr Turnbull also helped set up the highly successful Team Fostering agency along with creating RED – Rapid Enterprise Development Workshops – which are a new approach to social enterprise development.
“It’s a great honour to have been shortlisted in both of these prestigious awards,” said Guy.
“And it is also very gratifying to see the work that we are doing through CASA recognised in this way.”
He will be travelling to Leeds on Tuesday (17 May) to compete in the northern finals of the EY Entrepreneur of the Year awards and if successful, will represent the region in the grand finals in October, where the winner will be put forward for next year’s international awards.
Guy will then be going to Birmingham on Friday (May 20) for the Great British Care Awards.