UK’s Largest Care Provider Marks 40th Anniversary

Shaw healthcare, the UK’s largest employee-owned care provider, is marking its 40th anniversary, reflecting on four decades of work spanning housing, care services and facilities management.

The organisation was founded in February 1986 by Jeremy Nixey as a housing association, providing secure homes and housing-related support. Over time, Shaw expanded into delivering care services, guided by the principle of providing the quality of care people would want for their own loved ones.

Headquartered in Cardiff, Shaw now operates 63 registered care services across England, Wales, and Scotland, working in partnership with a number of local authorities and NHS bodies. It delivers a broad range of services, including residential, nursing and dementia care, mental health support, acquired brain injury services, and support for people with physical and learning disabilities. It also provides facilities management services across parts of its portfolio. Shaw employs more than 3,300 staff and supports over 2,100 care beds, with services used by thousands of people and families each day.

A major milestone came in May 2020, when Shaw became employee-owned, placing staff at the centre of the organisation’s future direction. In 2021, Russell Brown was appointed Chief Executive, leading the next phase of development for the business.

Since becoming employee-owned, Shaw has been named Employee-Owned Business of the Year and recognised as both the UK’s third-largest employee-owned company and its largest employee-owned care provider. In 2024, Shaw expanded its portfolio of specialist services by acquiring three services in South Wales. Many employees build long-term careers within the organisation, progressing into senior and leadership roles.

Commenting on the anniversary, Chief Executive Russell Brown said: “Shaw has always been a people business. Reaching 40 years gives us the opportunity to recognise the employees, communities and partners who support our work, while continuing to focus on delivering high-quality, compassionate care for the residents we are privileged to care for.”

The anniversary was marked throughout February with events across Shaw services, including tree-planting initiatives linked to the organisation’s environmental commitments.