Our Senior Leadership Team is comprised of experienced individuals from a range of professional backgrounds, who all work collectively to deliver the strategic goals and vision of Benecare. Learn more below.
Karim Lalani
Chief Executive
Karim has over 40 years’ experience of founding and running successful businesses with prudent fiscal management and capitalisation, from start-ups, to retail and healthcare. He strives to help vulnerable groups in society wherever possible. SBC(RS) is run as a controlled multi-site growth programme to develop high quality education in Peterborough and regionally respected Ofsted regulated children’s care services across the UK.
Rebecca Ouellani
Chief Operating Officer
Rebecca has worked in children’s care for over 14 years and has held several positions within this sector, including residential care specialising in supporting children with emotional difficulties, learning disabilities, and challenging behaviours. She has a range of qualifications including Diploma 5 NVQ 4 in Management, and NVQ 4 in Health and Social Care, ILM Level 5, and BTEC Level 4 in Education and Training.
Greg Lapham
Corporate Development Director
Greg has over 20 years of experience in adult and children’s specialist services at executive level. He has an extensive background of developing new business, and is experienced in creating and enhancing brands with a primary focus on exceeding expectations for service delivery, whilst ensuring optimum commercial performance, growth, and most importantly, improving outcomes for young people.
Paul Rushton
HR Director
Paul is an experienced and people-focused HR leader with a strong background across hospitality, retail, consulting, and leisure sectors. He’s led HR teams in fast-paced, multi-site businesses and thrives on building positive cultures, driving change, and helping people and organisations grow. Paul brings a mix of strategic thinking, hands-on experience, and a genuine passion for making work better for everyone.
Shazia Lalani
Marketing Director
Shazia has a broad range of B2B and B2C Marketing experience gained from several years of working across companies in professional services and retail. She has a Professional Diploma from the Chartered Institute of Marketing, and is skilled in digital marketing, end-to-end campaign project management, PR, events, and client relationship management.
Claire Akers
Head of Operations & Responsible Individual
Claire has worked in Childcare for the past 20 years having first started in a Nursery setting before going into a Therapeutic residential care setting for 6 years. Claire first joined Benecare as Registered Manager of Roseland House for over two years. She then took over Ocean Lodge for a short time before becoming Benecare’s Responsible Individual.
Karen Witham
Registered Manager
My name is Karen and I am the Homes Manager of Woodbridge House. I have been committed to Benecare for over 14 years, I have been a Deputy manager for 3 of the homes over the last 8 years. I have been working in the care sector for over 25 years. I am committed to the young people I work with.
Mark Hook
Registered Manager
My name is Mark and have been the Home Manager of Roseland House since February 2024. Prior to becoming the Home Manager, my role was a Peripatetic Deputy Manager which involved assisting the Responsible Individual across all of our homes within Benecare. I have worked within social care for over 14 years in both adult and young people residential settings. My aim now is to focus on Roseland house.
Rochelle Wiseman
Registered Manager
Hi my name is Rochelle and I am the Home Manager of Ocean Lodge. Over the past decade, I have honed my skills as a caregiver while fostering young individuals for Kent County Council. Over the past three and a half years at Benecare, I have enhanced my leadership abilities, progressing from a senior role to that of Home Manager.
Abs Latif
Head of HR & Payroll
Abs has over 15 years’ experience in developing, recruiting, inducting, training, and leading teams. His expertise spans the entire HR lifecycle, from recruitment and onboarding, to talent development and employee engagement. His qualifications include a Degree in Computer Communication and IT, HR Management – Advance, and GDPR Practitioner.
Ollie Halligan
Head of Placements
With over 15 years of progressive experience in residential care, Ollie has advanced from Support Worker to Registered Manager, earning his NVQ Level 5 qualification in Health and Social Care. His expertise spans placement management roles where he specialised in comprehensive assessments, led successful fee negotiations, and ensured appropriate placement matches.
Ganesh Kandiapillai
Finance Manager
Ganesh is a highly qualified Accountant with over 25 years of retail and industry experience. He is skilled in managing the complete accounting cycle of control, planning, budgeting, and reporting of companies. He qualifications include CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting, and BA (Hons) Accounting and Finance.
Dr Kamal Khan
Head of Quality & Service Management
Kamal has extensive experience in developing and establishing quality management systems, based on a variety of national and international accreditation standards. He was previously an internal auditor and science teacher, and has a Doctorate in Finance, BSc (Hons) Pharmacology, and Masters in Business Administration & Quality Management System.
Edwin Maharaj
Head of Facilities
Edwin has over 13 years experience in the social housing sector and retail management. He specialises in setting up new homes, managing maintenance issues, and all aspects relating to health and safety/ compliance. He is a qualified IOSH inspector, and his qualifications include IOSH Managing Safely, NVQ in Customer Services Level 2, and FAA Level 3 Award in Emergency First Aid at Work.
jade waterman
Training Manager
Jade has held various operational and managerial roles across Children’s Homes and Supported Accommodation services. She holds a Level 5 qualification in Leadership and Management (Distinction) and a Level 3 Award in Education and Training. She is also a certified Level 2 Safeguarding Train the Trainer, Fire Marshal Trainer, and Emergency First Aid at Work Trainer.
marie bliss
Executive Assistant
Marie spent 18 years as an EA at Tesco, supporting Government Affairs, Corporate Responsibility, and Group Communications. Alongside her role, she volunteered as a mentor for women in prison and later with SHOUT 24/7. Over the past two years, Marie embraced new challenges, including working with patients on a CAMHS ward, and contributing to The Medical Research Network.
