Meet our CEO Interview Panel

David Sargent joined the organisation earlier this year as the new Chief Executive of Real Life Options and 1st Homecare at the start of our 25th anniversary year.

With such a senior appointment to make, it was really important to involve representatives from the people we support across the UK to take part in the interview process, alongside other panels. Move over Sir Alan Sugar, Real Life Options had just the interviewers for the job! Step forward Angela from Stockton-on-Tees, Anjum from Newcastle and George from Forfar in Scotland. The trio formed an important ‘people we support’ panel for the Chief Executive interviews held at Head Office. All the candidates were put through their paces answering questions and doing presentations to explain what they would bring to the role, in addition to a more formal interview panel led by Chair David Wilkin.

“The people we support panel is a really important part of the recruitment process,” explained Anthea Sully, Head of Business Development and Communications who was on hand to help facilitate the interviews on the day. “The experience of the people we support underpin everything we do as an organisation and they are involved in the interviews for all staff – from Support Workers to Executive Directors – as it’s crucial that we continue to recruit people who are person-centred in the way they work. Our three interviewers brought a great deal of commitment, perception and energy to the day; they thoroughly challenged each candidate.”

“I really enjoyed it,” shared Anjum. “People had really good eye contact and it was good listening to what everyone had to say.” “All three interviewers did a great job,” added Chair David Wilkin. “I’m delighted that they were involved in recruiting David Sargent, who will be a great Chief Executive for the organisation.”