Our Council
The Council has up to 26 elected members representing providers from across Wales’ 22 local authorities – all are volunteers – and four elected officers. We also have three regional councils. These were set up in 2012 to improve representation at regional level across Wales. Each council is chaired by one of Care Forum Wales’ council members.
- Mario Kreft (Chair)
- Keri Llewllyn (Vice Chair Domiciliary Care)
- Sanjiv Joshi (Vice Chair Care Homes and Acting Treasurer)
You can get in touch with any of our council members by emailing your initial enquiry to our administrator, Janet Roberts janet@careforumwales.co.uk.
The Board
Chair: Mario Kreft
Our chair, Mario Kreft, is responsible for social care policy and Care Forum Wales’ working relationship with the Welsh Government and other public, voluntary and private agencies. As well as running his own, award-winning Pendine Park care organisation, Mario devotes his time to the promotion of issues relating to the social care workforce and is chair of the Wales Care Awards.
He sits on the ministerial board overseeing the new Social Services (Wales) Bill – Sustainable Social Services for Wales – and is the care sector representative on the advisory National Partnership Forum For Older People. In 2010 Mario was awarded an MBE for his contribution to social care in Wales and the Welsh Government recently honoured him with a Recognising Achievement Award for his innovative work in health and social care.
In 2011 he was named Caring Times UK Care Personality of the Year, the first Welshman to receive the award. Mario has worked in the social care sector for 25 years. He was vice chair of the National Care Homes Association until 1993 when he left to co-found Care Forum Wales. Previously a member of the Care Council for Wales and the Central Council for Education and Training in Social Work (CCETSW), Mario is currently the Welsh representative on the board of Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE).
Vice Chair and Lead for Domiciliary Care Services: Keri Llewellyn
Keri has been working within Social Care since 1993. Firstly, working in then managing the family Care Home, followed by opening a community / domiciliary care service with her father, All Care (S.Wales) Limited.
Keri has been a member of Care Forum Wales since the beginning and is the Lead for the Care Forum Wales Domiciliary Group and later taking on the role of Vice Chair.
With her expert knowledge and passion, Keri represents the sector by attending and contributing to Welsh Government and other sector work streams covering workforce, regulation and innovation.
Keri is also one of the judges for the Welsh Care Awards which she says she enjoys very much. She was also very proud to win the “We Care Wales Accolade 2022”, that is hosted by Social Care Wales.
Vice Chair (Care Homes) and Acting Treasurer: Sanjiv Joshi
Sanjiv Joshi started his own financial services advisory company in 1986. Previously he had worked as an actuarial assistant. In 2002, Sanjiv and his wife, Jyoti, co-founded Caron Group (formerly Care Inn). Over the years, Caron Group has steadily grown, with the acquisition of care homes and services across South & Mid Wales. Caron Group currently operates 17 care homes in Wales.
Sanjiv has dedicated his professional life to creating nurturing environments that prioritise the wellbeing and dignity of every individual under the care of Caron Group, where staff are also treated with dignity and respect. Sanjiv has been a Council Member of Care Forum Wales for the last 15 years and is also the Treasurer. His role at Care Forum Wales has involved representing Care Providers in several forums especially in the areas of finance, regulation and commissioning. It has been the perfect opportunity to use his extensive knowledge to aid in achieving financial stability for care services across Wales. Sanjiv is committed to elevating the standard of care for residents, reflecting a deep-seated belief in the importance of dignity, compassion, and joy in the later stages of life.
North Wales
Council members
Kevin Edwards, George Greenwood, Mario Kreft, Richard Mascarenhas, Kim Ombler, Steffan Robbins, Bethan Wyn Roberts and Clare Roberts.
South East Wales
Council members
Emma Baker, Philip Batchelor, Sanjiv Joshi, Keri Llewellyn, Michael Poole, Brian Rosenberg, John Shirreffs, Josh Slator and Tracey Williams.
South West and Mid Wales
Council members
Ceri Breeze, Alison Castrey, Mike Davies, Bethan Evans, Jules Gregory, Raam Joshi, Anthony Lovell, Michelle Martin and Liam Scanlon.
Younger Adult Mental Health Residential Services
Council member and lead for younger adult group
Michelle Martin