Jenny Hearl - CEO, Eothen Homes
What were your career ambitions growing up?
My older siblings all worked abroad when I was growing up, they were my inspiration to travel. My mother was a senior Sister in A&E and she encouraged me to become a nurse which would provide opportunities to travel and work abroad.
Tell us about your current role.
I have worked for Eothen Homes for more than 30 years and have been the Chief Executive for 28 years. I manage the day to day operations of the charity and plan future strategy. Eothen is a small, successful charity, and our staff make us what we are. Although many Chief Executives are purely-office based I love nothing more than getting out to our three wonderful homes in Gosforth, Whitley Bay and Wallsend, seeing our incredible team at work, and of course catching up with our residents.
What is your proudest business achievement?
In 2016, we opened a new £6.2 million care home which provides a unique environment and model of care for those living with dementia. This was a huge project for our small charity but it has been so successful. For me this was a great achievement and I am also very proud that the charity continues to go from strength to strength, so much so that we are one of the top 20 small UK care home providers, according to carehome.co.uk, based on all of the outstanding reviews given by our residents’ families.
How has your industry changed in the last decade?
It has become more regulated and we continue to feel the effects from the Covid pandemic. People coming into care homes are older and frailer, and recruitment continues to be a challenge.
What are you currently working on?
We are actively looking for a new development opportunity in the North East and are currently implementing an electronic care home system to ensure we are up to date with the latest technology.
Tell us about the team you work with.
I have a fantastic senior team at our Head Office in Cramlington, who are as passionate about elderly care as I am. We employ 165 staff who make up our Eothen family, they all work extremely hard and are an integral part of our success. We have been a Real Living Wage employer since 2018 and now exceed these rates for our care staff.
What is the best piece of business advice you have been given?
Understanding that not everyone has the same standards as you and to focus on what you are good at.
What has been your biggest challenge?
Learning to balance the needs of stakeholders and being responsible for caring for people’s parents or loved ones, especially those living with dementia. We regularly receive exceptional reviews and positive feedback which makes it all worthwhile, knowing we have made a difference.
Who are your heroes inside and outside of business?
My Mum is a huge inspiration, she was one of the first nurses in the NHS in 1949, and is still active at 93, swimming every week!
The founder of Eothen, Audrey Miller and our previous Chairman of Trustees, Dr Andrew Shepherd, who recently retired after 34 years of faithful voluntary service to Eothen. Donating one of your most important assets – time – is an incredible, selfless thing to do.
What does the future hold?
We are developing a culture of excellence and research and are involved with several projects, with the aim of improving experiences in care.
The future is exciting for Eothen and will hopefully involve a new care home development with outstanding provision of elderly care and great employment opportunities for the area.
How do you unwind outside of work?
Travelling, walking and meeting up with family and friends.
Favourite Book and Boxset?
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen is a favourite, also LJ Ross, who recently visited one of our home’s book clubs.
www.eothenhomes.co.uk