Our Managing Director and business owner Alastair Shanks joined the Right at Home network in 2012, opening his first office in Farnham which was the 7th Right at Home office in the UK. 

His passion for supporting elderly people and people living with dementia to live well in the community has seen his business and reputation of excellent service grow over the years. In fact Alastair is a trustee for Dementia Adventure and chair of the Older Persons Network SW Surrey.

Alastair started his career with Unilever, where he spent some time working in Italy, after which he returned to the UK to run a family business. After selling up ahead of the credit crunch, he decided he wanted to start his own business in the local community and was successful in joining the growing team of Right at Home local owner/operators.

“It is a hugely rewarding thing to be doing; we really do make a huge difference to people’s lives, whether that is by providing full-time, live in care for someone with advancing dementia or assisting an older person to stay independent by helping with their shopping once a week.”

What inspired you to join Right at Home?

I met Ken Deary, the UK franchisor for Right at Home, and felt a great synergy in my values. I really felt that Right at Home was doing something special in the UK and I wanted to be part of it.

What does a typical day look like for you?

My days are very varied. From one to one's with our leadership team, lunch with some new recruits, a board meeting for Dementia Adventure and hopefully a run or a bit of yoga.

What do you enjoy or find most rewarding about your role?

I still find the impact we have on our clients and their families hugely rewarding. I also find seeing team members develop and grow their careers to be very rewarding.