Meet the Team: Full Biographies
Meet the Team
Alexander Allan (Director)
Alexander is a retired Infantry Officer of the British Army where he served tours in both Bosnia and Afghanistan. Having left the army, he completed a Masters’ business degree and worked in London for a national energy company. Alexander has spent a lot of his spare time fundraising and organising events to raise money and awareness for the ‘British Limbless Ex Service Men’s Association’, BLESMA.
Alexander enjoys surfing on Bantham Beach and is an avid photographer and is also occasionally seen accompanying Emma on his 1965 BSA Bantam ‘Tom’ when the mood takes his bike.
Emma Allan (Director)
Emma originally hails from Ireland but after deciding to do a Master’s degree in business and the environment in London she first fell in love with a Boy and soon after with Devon. After various management positions she was excited at the prospect of trying to effect real change in the care industry. She wanted to improve how the sector was viewed, how people within the industry were valued and since 2012 her and Alexander (said Boy) have been trying to do just this, along with raising their three children.
Emma is passionate about providing the highest level of service to each customer and firmly believes in the importance of local working.
In her spare time Emma likes to take her 1955 BSA Bantam D1 ‘Peggy’ out on the road to explore the countryside. She loves walks on the beach with their two dogs and occasionally braves a surf although will more often than not be seen in the white wash close to the shore.
Deserie Atkins (Operations Manager)
Deserie joined Bluebird Care in 2017. She joined first as our Registered Manager for the Torbay office but took on the role of Operations Manager, covering Torbay, Plymouth and South Hams for the Domiciliary and Live-In service in 2020.
“I am very proud to be the operations manager of Bluebird Care Torbay, Plymouth and South Hams. I have supported the team to go from strength to strength. In 2019 we were awarded outstanding by the Care Quality Commission which was the best accolade that we could receive as a marker of both our success, and the quality of the support we provide to our customers”.
Deserie has worked in the health and social care field for over 30 years, both for local authority and the NHS. Deserie is a qualified Social Worker and was also an Allied Mental Health Professional working under the Mental Health Act. Deserie has managed Dementia care residential homes and resettlement units for people with dual diagnosis. While working for Torbay and South Devon NHS foundation trust Deserie chaired bay-wide multi agency Safeguarding meetings, best interest meetings and worked with people under Deprivation of liberty safeguards (DOLs).
Deserie has a thirst for travel and loves nothing more than heading off in her campervan with her husband and their 2 Bulgarian rescue dogs, Coco and Willow.
Carol Joined our Bluebird Care team as a Locality Manager in 2018, having spent the previous ten years managing a multi-site operation delivering a service to the elderly across Devon. In Nov 2018, the Live-in Care Manager position became available and Carol was excited to step into this role and begin developing the service.
As the Live-in Care Manager, it is Carol’s responsibility to deliver support packages that enable her customers to live safely and independently in their own homes for as long as possible. She communicates with her customers, family members and health professionals daily, she leads by providing support and guidance to a team of dedicated carers who are passionate about making a difference to the lives of the people in our community.
In her spare time she enjoys taking long walks on the beach with her husband and dog Reggie and enjoying the company of her grandchildren and now great grandchildren.
Asia joined our team in 2018. Having worked as a waitress in a local hotel for many years, she was turkey and tinselled out and decided on a new career path. Asia started as a Care Assistant, then moved on to Field Supervisor. Asia then progressed to Care Manager and is now enjoying a new role as our Care Coordinator. Since joining Asia has taken the opportunity to continue her studies and she now has NVQ Level 2 and 3 in Health and Social Care under her belt and is currently working towards her NVQ level 5.
In Asia's spare time you'll find her in any shop, looking for a bargain. On the occasion where she has been dragged away from the shops, she will either be walking the dog or dancing in the kitchen to songs that are far too old for her! Asia is also very partial to a bargain caravan holiday and enjoys the corny entertainment slightly too much.
Louise joined our Bluebird Care team in November 2018 after leaving her position as Discharge Co-Ordinator/Bed Manager with the National Health Service, where she worked for almost 20 years. Louise is also our Complex Care Champion and loves being afforded the privilege of becoming a valued part of families when they need the extra support.
As Locality Manager, Louise is responsible for customer support. She develops a tailor-made care package they feel will provide them with the most effective, highest quality of care. Each day she communicates with customers, family members and other professionals, ensuring everyone involved in the care package is in the loop and happy.
Louise covers Brixham, Paignton and Totnes and enjoys the challenge of meeting lots of new people and developing her relationships with new and existing customers.
A local Brixham girl, Louise grew up on the beach and still loves the sea, the sand, and everything to do with the water. She has a beach hut and spends every possible moment there, winter and summer.
"My life is spent trying to keep up and stay cool with my beautiful grandchildren, which usually means life endangering adventures, holidays and food. I have two dogs, they seriously help me with the 10,000 steps a day, two cats that boss me around and a love of cooking and entertaining. If I am very lucky I find the time to squeeze in the odd book or two!"
Sarah joined Bluebird Care in 2019 after being in her previous role for 17 years. Sarah wanted a career change and has always had a passion to help others. Sarah started her career at Bluebird as a full time care assistant, she then went on to become a field supervisor and she is now a care manager.
As a care manager Sarah is responsible for customer enquiries and customer support. She develops person-centred packages of care which will provide our customers with effective, high quality care. Each day involves supporting customers, family members and care assistants and liaising with other professionals, ensuring everyone involved in the care package is in the loop, safe and happy. Sarah is passionate about making a difference to people’s lives.
Sarah is a total people person, always willing to help others where and when she can.
"In my spare time I love going out for meals and drinks with my friends and family. I also have two French bulldogs Winnie and Hugo who I enjoy taking out for nice dog walks especially down the beach. I live for holidays… there is nothing better than being by the sea with the sand between my toes, getting a tan, watching sunsets and drinking cocktails with family and friends!”.
Nina joined our Bluebird Care team initially in 2013 and has worked in the care industry ever since. After providing excellent care for our customers as a Care Assistant Nina decided she wanted to try something different. During those 6 years Nina remained in care working with people living with learning disabilities and challenging behaviours. She returned to Bluebird in 2021 as a Live-in Care Supervisor and in 2023 she became a Live-in Care Manager.
As a Live-in Care Manager Nina's responsibility is to communicate with customers, families, live-in carers, and other professionals to make sure everything is running perfectly and customers receive an excellent standard of care.
Nina enjoys spending time with her family, their dog and rabbit and she also she enjoys going on holidays and doing water sports like kitesurfing and snorkelling.
Clarissa Pugh (Coordinator)
Biography coming soon.
Biography coming soon.
Lesley joined our Bluebird Care team in 2023 but has worked in the home care sector for 7 years. Lesley is committed to providing the best quality of care to those most vulnerable in society, “I feel very grateful to have such a rewarding and enjoyable job with Bluebird Care”.
Lesley is very proud to call Torquay her home and to be able to meet and support so many of the wonderful, interesting and kind hearted residents of the Bay.
Lesley has previously worked in a secondary school, a garden centre and a post office amongst other roles and was drawn to the care environment when an event led to a dramatic change in her life, “I re-evaluated what was important to me and where my natural abilities lay”.
Her passion at the moment is designing and planting her garden, the goal being a haven for wildlife. She also loves to make her own clothes. She adores her family and spends as much time as possible with them.
Biography coming soon.
Kerrie Williams (Live In Field Supervisor)
Biography coming soon.
Rosie Grant (Live In Field Supervisor)
Biography coming soon.
After gaining a degree in Business Studies and taking an accountancy conversion course at the University of the West of England, Sophie worked for nearly ten years in audit and tax roles before branching out to industry. Prior to joining Bluebird Care in June 2019, Sophie worked for fourteen years in Further Education.
Besides ensuring that the finance function of Bluebird Care runs smoothly, Sophie works closely with the franchise’s owners and operational managers to support and guide their business planning and work together on the continuing success of the business.
Sophie loves to walk her dogs on the beach and through the woods.
Sarah joined us in 2019. Sarah with copious amounts of coffee manages everything to do with payroll and holiday – thank you Sarah!! She makes sure that everyone gets paid on time and is given those lovely and necessary days off for their holidays. She is a key member of the finance team and deals with any queries that come through the door.
In her spare time, Sarah adores spending time with her family and friends.