Meet The Ashford & Shepway Team

James Edwards

Franchise Owner

James started his career in IT, working from the ground up as a support engineer, through the ranks to senior engineer positions and network adminstrator roles responsible for the infrastructure, integrity and reliability of systems for big multinationals and SME’s. James has a varied exposure to many different industries that have made use of his knowledge, from stock brokerage houses and banks, to fruit importers and superyacht owners.

In the last few years, James has been looking for a way to contribute to society in a more meaningful way. James chose to leave IT and set up Caremark in Ashford, covering the Ashford and Shepway districts in Kent. James has a keen emotional interest in making sure care provision is of the highest standards for those that need it, due to some of his own family members’ experience when receiving care.

In his free time, James enjoys long walks on the coast with his partner and their dogs, reading, running and studying for new skills.

Barbra Pennington

Registered Care Manager

Barbra has worked in the Health and Social Care sector since 2008. She started as a Healthcare Assistant in a local care home, where her confidence grew and soon she became a Senior Healthcare Assistant. From here Barbra went on to a Nursing home and spent 9 months there only leaving to join the NHS. Barbra worked on a General Surgical ward, learning from nurses and improving her knowledge and skills.  After 4 years working on a ward, Barbra decided she wanted to work in Infection Control, where she supported Infection control nurses in maintaining and improving the infection control standards within the local hospitals.

After working in infection control for almost 2 years, Barbra became a Deputy Manager for a domiciliary care company based in Ashford, where she gained further knowledge and skills. Barbra ran the business in the absence of the Registered Manager and gained confidence to be able to do this on a permanent basis. She was recently nominated for the Frontline Leader award for KICA, showing she can be a successful frontline leader.

Barbra enjoys working in the care sector as it makes a difference to individual’s lives, where they may only see care workers throughout the day, due to not having any family and friends, or because their family isn’t able to take care of them.

In her role as the Registered Care Manager at Caremark Ashford & Shepway, Barbra is looking forward to making a difference to those that require care, support, and companionship, where her role will involve employing care workers and other employees with the same values as her own. Barbra prides herself in being approachable and being able to empower others to be the best they can be.

Our Wonderful Team

Care Assistants

Our Care Assistants have been providing care and support to those living in their own homes since 2022 in Ashford, Kent, and 2005 nationwide. Each unique in their own way, they provide person centred care and often go above and beyond to ensure customers are safe and content in their own home. Whether it’s some light domestic cleaning or taking customers out for day trips, meals out and distracting them from their worries even for a little while, safety and well being is at the centre of their care and support.

Our Care Assistants also provide personal care, medication support and companionship to their customers, amongst meeting many other care needs.