Cardiff-based care provider strengthens senior team with it first COO and new HR Director

Orbis Education and Care has strengthened its senior management team with the appointment of its first ever Chief Operating Officer, alongside a new HR Director.

Rob McKay and Linda Bridge join the Cardiff-based care provider as COO and HR Director respectively in a continuing period of rapid growth for the company.

Rob brings considerable experience from a range of senior care-based and educational roles to Orbis Education and Care, and holds the task of consolidating operations across a rapidly expanding portfolio of sites now held by the company in both England and Wales.

Linda will meanwhile draw on more than a decade of experience working across high-end legal and retail organisations to further promote the development of a culture where everyone is supported to fulfil their true potential, as the Orbis headcount also continues to grow.

CEO of Orbis Education and Care, Mike Currier, said:

“We are thrilled to welcome Rob and Linda at what is an extremely exciting time for our company. The addition of Rob’s role as incoming Chief Operating Officer will provide key organisational support, while Linda’s acumen for all things HR will support the buy-in required to achieve these aims.”

“Each position has a pivotal role to play in the ongoing success of our organisation and we couldn’t be more delighted to have both roles filled by individuals not only with the professional expertise we need to succeed, but also with the passion and empathy required of all those working within the Orbis family as a whole.”

Orbis Education and Care now runs 16 schools, residential homes and facilities for children and adults around Wales which support people with complex needs associated with autism, and employs around 650 people.

2018 was the second consecutive year of considerable growth for the company with the launch of two adult homes and the multi-million-pound refurbishment of its Dan y Coed site in Swansea, among other things. This is following the addition of two new schools and the acquisition of Bangeston Autism Care Services in 2017, which saw 200 additional staff recruited into the business alone. This year will also see the launch of the group’s first school and residential service in England, with the opening of Orbis Abbey Rose in Tewkesbury.

On his appointment, Rob McKay said:

“To be joining the senior team of one of the UK’s fastest growing care sector companies is hugely exciting and a great honour too. With growth both rapid and ongoing, I’m really looking forward to supporting the organisation in consolidating operations so that it may continue on the same trajectory for the benefit of all.”

Linda Bridge said:

“With Orbis continually opening new facilities across Wales and in England too, the need to recruit and retain the best people in support of the adults and children in our care has never been greater. I’m looking forward to making Orbis an even better place to work and to develop a career in return for the hard work and dedication of all those who have already, or may be looking to join our cause.”

Orbis is currently recruiting specialist staff to join its schools and care homes around Wales. Visit Orbis’ website for more information about the group and the vacancies: www.orbis-group.co.uk.