1. How did you get into your current job?

As a volunteer, I set up a housing association for single mums with babies and nowhere to live. Later, when I needed a job, I was offered an opportunity to set up a promotional housing association which became successful and expanded into care. It’s all built from there.

2. What’s the best bit?

I get to work with lots of great people and I can help them achieve their visions.

3. What was your first Saturday job?

It was working for a farmer, digging a long trench through chalk for a water pipe. A back breaking experience!

4. Describe your ideal job?

This one!

5. What motivates you?

Every day presents a new project, giving me the opportunity to develop and improve the service.

6. And what irritates you?

People not delivering what they promised they will.

7. Who do you most admire in business and why?

No specific individual. I admire anyone who has set up their own business whether it be a café owner, electrician, cleaner or dentist- anyone who creates their own business

8. What was the last book you read and what did you think?

Winter in Madrid by CJ Sansom. He describes vividly the poverty and desolation wrought on the Spanish people by the Spanish Civil War, the baleful influence of outside countries including Britain along with the hopelessness and destruction of life, families and trust between peoples that war brings. There is also some triumph of the human spirit to give the reader some heart.

9. What do you do to relax?

I like long distance walking. My holidays generally consist of me clocking up a few miles on foot.

10. What dreams are you still yet to fulfil?

Creating a much better system for supporting and funding care for older people.

11. What was the last film you saw at the cinema and what did you think?

I don’t tend to go very often but The Social Network was the most notable recent trip I can recall. A great film.

12. Favourite food and place to eat it?

I like all foods really. I would have to opt for a very nice Indian takeaway eaten at my own house.

13. What car do you drive?

Volvo XC60

14. What’s in your car’s CD player at the moment?

Lilly Allen

15. What’s your favourite TV programme past or present?

Only Fools and Horses, followed by The Good Life as a close second.

16. Do you tweet? If so, how can we follow you? If not, why?

No, I don’t. I’ve never really caught the bug that some people have. Feel free to follow @shawhealthcare though.

17. If you were an animal, what would you be?

A Peregrine Falcon.

18. Proudest moment?

Holding my new born children in my arms.

19. And most embarrassing?

Being asked up onto the dance floor by a beautiful Cuban lady where upon I made a fool of myself with my inadequate dance moves.

20. What advice would you give to someone wanting to be successful in your line of work?

Be utterly passionate about providing the type of service that you would want to receive yourself.