Meet the Team

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. SBCHL 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.

Phil Cass

Chief Operating Officer

Phil brings a wealth of experience from across the care sector. Most recently, he served as Managing Director at Homes2Inspire, overseeing 53 children’s homes. His career journey – from Special Needs Teaching Assistant to Residential Care Worker, Team Leader, Senior Home Manager, and Ofsted Social Care Regulatory Inspector – demonstrates both deep sector knowledge, and a genuine commitment to the wellbeing of young people.

Mahmood Ladak

Chief Financial Officer

Mahmood is an FCCA with over 18 years of international experience across audit, financial reporting, and governance. He has held senior roles within KLSA, BDO, and KPMG, leading complex multi-entity audits and strengthening financial controls across regulated environments. He also brings hands-on executive leadership experience, previously serving as CEO of a multi-campus education network overseeing a team of over 400 people.

Alison Blyth-Bishop

Director of Operations

Alison brings over two decades of leadership experience in residential childcare, having held senior operational roles across Outcomes First Group, Keys Group, Cambian, and local authority services. Her expertise spans quality improvement, strategic partnerships, and regulatory compliance, focused on achieving outstanding outcomes for young people. She holds a BSc (Hons) in Psychology and a Level 5 qualification in Leadership and Management.

Tim Gladston

HR Director

Tim is a Chartered Fellow of the CIPD with over 20 years’ experience leading HR functions across a range of sectors, including social care, education, technology, media, and retail. He has held senior roles at major organisations such as Sony PlayStation, Sainsbury’s, and a global education group, where he led people strategy, transformation, and employee engagement across complex and regulated environments.

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.

Ollie Halligan

Partnerships Director

With over 15 years of progressive experience in residential care, Ollie has advanced from Support Worker to Registered Manager, earning his NVQ Level 5 qualification in Health and Social Care. His expertise spans placement management roles where he specialised in comprehensive assessments, led successful fee negotiations, and ensured appropriate placement matches.

Michelle Robinson

Assistant Director of Operations

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.

Katy Luckett

Head of Recruitment

Katy is a recruitment and compliance professional with over 25 years’ experience leading Talent Acquisition teams in regulated sectors. She specialises in building high-performing teams, improving efficiency, and delivering an outstanding candidate experience. Katy is committed to the highest standards of compliance and safeguarding, ensuring a safe and supportive environment for young people.

Aldona Dhami

Service Manager – North, West, East & South East Regions

With over 12 years in Health and Social Care, Aldona began as a Support Worker and progressed through roles including Team Leader, Coordinator, and Operations Manager. She has supported young people from diverse and complex backgrounds, delivering personalised, outcome-focused care. Aldona has been the Registered Service Manager with Ofsted since April 2024.

Suzette St Marie

Service Manager – North-West Region

Suzette brings over 10 years of experience in the Health and Social Care sector, having worked in a variety of roles ranging from Support Worker to senior management. Her background provides deep insight into front-line service and strategic leadership. Suzette has a Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management.

Abs Latif

Head of HR & Payroll

Abs has over 15 years’ experience leading and developing HR functions. He has supported business growth from 15 to over 500 employees, and introduced new HR systems. Abs is a GDPR Practitioner with a degree in Computer Communication and IT, and an advanced qualification in HR Management. He is currently completing a Level 7 CIPD qualification in Strategic People Management.

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. Karen’s qualifications include Level 3 in AET, BA Hon Psychosocial Studies, and HE Diploma – Social Work and Community Work.

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. His qualifications include CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting, and BA (Hons) Accounting and Finance.

Dr Kamal Khan

Head of Project Management

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.

Edwin Maharaj

Head of Facilities

Edwin has over 13 years experience in the social housing sector and retail management. He specialises in setting up new homes, managing maintenance issues, and all aspects relating to health and safety/ compliance. He is a qualified IOSH inspector, and his qualifications include IOSH Managing Safely, NVQ in Customer Services Level 2, and FAA Level 3 Award in Emergency First Aid at Work.

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 has worked with patients on a CAMHS ward, and contributing to The Medical Research Network.

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.