Care Opinion is run by a small, passionate and highly experienced team.
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James Munro - Chief Executive
James has been chief executive of Care Opinion since 2014. His background is clinical medicine, public health and health services research, and he has spent most of his time over the past 10 years overseeing the development of Care Opinion’s online feedback platform. As CEO James focuses on sharing Care Opinion’s mission with people in health and social care, and with health professionals in training, emphasizing the importance of generosity, curiosity and reciprocity in our work.
- Interesting fact: James once tried to explain how Care Opinion worked to the Queen.
Miriam Rivas-Aguilar – Chief Operating Officer
Miriam was the very first employee in 2005, and has been chief operating officer of Care Opinion since 2012. She has over 25 years’ experience in business development, operations, managing teams, project management, and service delivery working in both the private and public sector. As COO, Miriam oversees the various functions across the organisation, manages the team and loves to chat with staff about the benefits of subscribing to Care Opinion. Some of Miriam’s interests are mentoring, Emotional Intelligence and ensuring that Care Opinion offers a happy work environment for the team.
- Interesting fact: Miriam was born in Chile and loves to travel, and enjoyed a sabbatical travelling through South and Central America.
Tim Hunt- Head of Safeguarding & Partnerships
Originally a social worker, Tim has an extensive background working in and managing services across health and social care. This includes working as a PALS manager, medical social worker, voluntary sector manager and manager of support services for a local authority. In all his posts, he has been passionate about public involvement and feedback; and has certainly found a place to follow that passion at Care Opinion. He leads on all the mental health and social care work at Care Opinion, believing that the website platform offers the public a unique opportunity to feedback all their experiences of care, in one place.
- Interesting fact: Tim listens to a piece of Bach and reads one poem every day.
Fraser Gilmore - Executive Director & Head of Care Opinion Scotland
Fraser joined the team in April 2020 to lead on the work in Scotland. Fraser has worked across the voluntary and statutory sectors in management and senior management roles for over 15 years, working with homeless people, disabled people, older people and members of the Armed Forces community all over Scotland. Fraser’s is passionate about enabling people voices to affect positive change, so you can imagine how excited he was about joining the Care Opinion team.
- Interesting fact: Fraser loves to travel and his favourite parts of the world to visit are south and south east Asia
Sarah Ashurst - Associate Director, Service Quality
Sarah brings energy and enthusiasm to her role at Care Opinion. She leads the support team who are the first point of contact for many of the NHS organisations we work with, helping them embed Care Opinion within their services. Sarah is also one of several senior moderators in the team and is responsible for keeping our moderation policy up to date, fair, and in keeping with current legal guidelines.
- Interesting fact: Between rock climbing and knitting, Sarah is teaching herself how to make her own clothes.
Tracy Molloy- Subscriber Services Manager
Tracy joined the team in January 2019 and managers the Subscriber support team in Sheffield helping Care Opinion subscribers get the the most out of their subscriptions. Always happy to support and help staff & organisations with any queries they may have about the functionality of the site. Tracy previously worked within the voluntary sector and has experience of working within substance mis-use and mental health advocacy support.
- Interesting fact: A proud owner of a loving English Bull Terrier & once recorded a song in a recording studio.
Ross Padwick – Associate Director, Finance
Ross joined in November 2010. He previously worked as an accountant in practice undertaking auditing and reporting on financial performance to both large companies and SME's. He then worked as a Financial Controller and Company Secretary for a group of start-ups before joining Care Opinion.
In his day to day role at Care Opinion, Ross deals with all finance related matters, procurement and tenders.
- Interesting fact: He loves cats!
Victoria Hobson - Administration Officer
Victoria provides much-needed support (organisation should be her middle name) as well as a keeping the team full of tasty snacks). Among other things, she provides daily assistance to the team, and people who call to share their story with us over the phone.
- Interesting fact: Vickie is terrified of heights but has completed both a parachute jump and tried parascending for charity!!
Louise Scott-Carr - Operational Support Officer
Louise joined the team in July 2019 and supports the team with a whole range of tasks. Louise has previously worked in roles supporting people with learning difficulties and offering support to their carers too.
- Interesting fact: Louise is an avid netballer & her dream pet would be a pygmy goat!
Danielle McEwan - Engagement and Support Officer
One of the newest members of the Care Opinion team, Danielle joined in November 2019 alongside Dayle. As one of our Engagement and Support Officers based in the Scotland office. Danielle provides assistance and support to staff and organisations who use Care Opinion to help them get the most out of their membership. Originally a trained nurse, Danielle has spend the last 6 years working within the Health and Social Care sector and is committed to helping others to share their experiences through Care Opinion.
- Interesting fact: As well as being a trained nurse, Danielle is also qualified in a number of complimentary and massage therapies, including crystal healing. She likes to make candles and wax melts in her spare time and also has some floristry skills!
Lisa Dendy - Engagement & Support Officer
Lisa joined the team in April 2021, as a Engagement & Support Officer in the Stirling Office. Over the last 10 years she has worked in care and support for adults with learning disabilities and the elderly, as well as community engagement, health and well-being and business development. With a passion for physical and mental health awareness, as well as progressive, inclusive social change, Lisa is over the moon to have joined the Care Opinion team!
- Interesting fact: Lisa spent a year living and teaching English in Thailand and she was born with 2 ribs missing!
Emma Noonan - Engagement and Support Officer
Emma is Care Opinion’s newest recruit, joining the team in August 2022. Emma works within the Subscriber support team in Sheffield and has a passion for giving all people a voice, no matter their age. Emma’s background in teaching and examining means she has as keen eye for detail and really likes to help-if she doesn’t know the answer then she’s unafraid to ask a question and find out for you!
- Interesting fact: Emma enjoys running and yoga in her spare time. Last year Emma took part in a World Record breaking challenge ‘the most people to run a remote 5k in 24 hours’-she is now the proud owner of a certificate testifying to the challenge’s success.
Liz Bassett - Engagement and Support Officer
Liz joined Care Opinion in November 2023 as an Engagement & Support Officer in our Sheffield office. Liz previously worked in Cancer services as a Radiotherapist, in research, and in the third sector in Communications. She is passionate about supporting conversations between patients and our subscribers and believes that everyone's stories matter.
- Interesting fact: Liz plays cahon in a local band which describes itself as ‘a little bit Americana, a little bit Bluesy, a little bit cheesy’!
Charles Atkinson - Senior Developer
He has been working as a Software Developer for 13 years 8 of which have been in partnership with the Ministry of Justice and Irish Government. He is very driven to work in roles which have a tangible benefit to peoples lives be it direct or indirect.
- Interesting fact: In his free time, he likes to play Badminton, go skateboarding and play the guitar. He is also a keen (very amateur!) astronomer.
Damon Audsley - Software Developer
Damon joined the team in September 2021 as a Mid-Level Software Developer, coming from a software role in the education sector. They have previously worked on a student support system used by various universities. Damon helps design, build, and maintain the Care Opinion site with James and Luke.
- Interesting fact: Damon enjoys collaboratively making music, and has performed in various online "live" gigs for charity.
Ali Patrick - Senior Moderation Officer
Ali joined the team in April 2019 as a remote moderator, working from home (and occasionally making a guest appearance in the Scotland office) to ensure that Care Opinion stories are published quickly, safely and in line with our values. He progressed to the role of Senior Moderation Officer in 2022.
- Interesting fact: At home, Ali works alongside a very enthusiastic Goldador pup, who doesn't work for Care Opinion yet (but is hopeful!).
Christa Belshaw - Moderator
Christa joined the team as a moderator in March 2022. Having previously worked in health promotion, public health and substance misuse rehabilitation services, the innovative nature of Care Opinion drew her to the role. Everyone’s story matters and, she loves being part of a passionate team that enable people to share their experiences’ of care in a safe and effective way.
- Interesting fact: Christa enjoys yoga, floristry and baking and previously applied to go on The Great British Bake Off!
Krisztina Patocs - Business Administration and Support Officer
Krisztina joined the team late June 2022 and based in the Scotland office. As an Administration and Support Officer she works across different departments of the organisation. She loves being very organised and have a passion for design, marketing, organising events and adding a personal touch. She previously worked in the private legal sector, however she always dreamt of working for a social enterprise since graduating from the University of Stirling. And what better place than a social enterprise to affect some change! She feels a sense of purpose and belonging to Care Opinion.
- Interesting fact: Krisztina believes racoons are very much misunderstood and very much identifies with them. They are great problem solvers, instinctively curious and very adaptive creatures with dark circles around their eyes making a cool mask, who love hunting for junk food.
Mhairi Smith - Moderator
Mhairi joined the team as a moderator in August 2022. Currently working part time in community pharmacy has led Mhairi to have a deep interest in health care and the experiences of the patients. The valuable aim which Care Opinion has paired with the positive employment reputation it holds drew her to the role. She loves being part of a passionate team with a shared goal of empowering people to share their stories in a safe and effective way.
- Interesting fact: Mhairi absolutely loves learning about animals and enjoys when her husband plays animals calls for her to guess. You never know when a bird call is actually a capybara!
Claire Vincent - Moderator
Claire joined the team in January 2024 as a moderator based in the Sheffield office. She previously worked as a secondary school teacher, first in England, then in China and Ukraine. She has a particular interest in equality of voice and inclusion and it was these which drew her to Care Opinion.
- Interesting fact: Claire enjoys travelling to places off the beaten track: particular favourites to date have included Kyrgyzstan and Tibet.