Partners in Care is pleased to welcome Claire Smout as its new Chief Officer and successor to David Crosby who is retiring from his role on 2 April 2026, which he has held since August 2021.
Claire commenced on Monday 9 February 2026 and will have an eight-week extended induction and handover period working alongside David before he leaves in April 2026.
Claire brings a wealth of experience and a strong track record in the care sector. She previously worked for Partners in Care, focusing on workforce development and recruitment, before moving to Skills for Care. During her time there, Claire has served as Head of Digital Skills and most recently held the position of Programme Head – Employer Engagement (The Care Workforce Pathway).
Debbie Price, Chair of the Partners in Care Board of Directors, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Claire back and look forward to her leadership in supporting care providers across Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin and Cheshire to deliver the highest quality services.”