Specialist neurological care provider, PJ Care, has appointed Lisa Andrew as its new operations director.

Lisa, who joined PJ Care as clinical operations manager in July last year, takes over the role from Mark Butler, who has retired.

Lisa has more than 40 years of experience in the healthcare sector – public and private – as a nurse and in the management of mental health and neuro-disability services. 

Chairman of PJ Care, Neil Russell, said: “I am thrilled that Lisa has accepted the role as operations director at PJ Care. Since she arrived in the company last year, she has made a hugely positive impact on staff and residents. 

“We have ambitious plans for PJ Care in the coming years, including our planned new developments, and Lisa is the perfect person to help drive the company forwards and deliver those plans.”

PJ Care, which is celebrating its 21st anniversary this year, is a leading provider of specialist care for people with progressive neurological conditions and acquired brain injuries. It runs three residential services: Bluebirds and Mallard House in Milton Keynes, and Eagle Wood in Peterborough. There are also plans to create a new care centre at Eagle Wood later this year, and another planned for Northamptonshire.

Andrew added: “I am delighted to have been promoted to the post of operations director following the retirement of Mark Butler and I am excited to be part of PJ Care’s continuous growth. His shoes will be hard to fill but I am looking forward to working with the directors and continuing to be part of a company that is recognised for its excellence within the health and social care sector, not only for the care and wellbeing delivered to the residents but also to the staff.

“My decision last year to move from a large corporate company to a family-run business with the core values of care, commitment and compassion, confirmed, to me personally, why I had wanted to be a nurse.” 

Butler steps down from his role after more than seven years, although he will remain on the board of PJ Care as a non-executive director. He has spent more than 40 years in the sector initially as a nurse and latterly as a healthcare manager.

“I want to thank Mark for all his hard work at PJ Care over the years, he has helped the company to develop and provide the highest standards of care to our residents,” says Neil. “We wish him well for a long and happy retirement.”