Meet our Senior Leadership team

Leading in Care

Christies Care has been a family owned and run company since 1987, and is currently led by father and son Hugh Gathorne Hardy and Freddy Gathorne Hardy. Along with the other members of our Senior Leadership team, they guide the company, ensuring that the care is always of the highest quality and that they are making life better for clients, families and staff.

Freddy Gathorne Hardy

MANAGING DIRECTOR

Freddy joined Christies Care in 2009, with a career history that included exploring the jungles of the world, studying for a PHD at the Natural History Museum and working as a management consultant in London, specialising in improving the performance of companies.

“I joined because I wanted to do something more fulfilling than management consultancy. I wanted to really help build something and see it grow. Our main value is: Do as you would be done by and is embedded throughout the company. If everyone behaves like this, and follows this value to make decisions, we will achieve our company Purpose: To make life better – for both our clients and carers.”

Hugh Gathorne Hardy

CHAIRMAN AND DIRECTOR

Hugh was a founder shareholder of Christies Care and has been Chairman since 1991. His active interest and investment has been key to the development and growth of the company from a tiny agency with eight clients and a dozen carers to its current position as one of the UK’s leading live in care agencies.

Suffolk born and bred, Hugh’s background was in commerce and banking and as a management consultant and chartered accountant. Hugh’s focus is on maintaining and improving the outstanding service Christies Care gives to its clients, carers and staff. He is closely involved with the day-to-day running of the company and still frequently visits clients.

Charlotte Driver-Young

OPERATIONS DIRECTOR 

Charlotte’s background working within Operational Policing for Suffolk Constabulary and HR, provides an invaluable foundation for her dual role as Operations Director and Registered Manager for Christies Care Ltd.

“I had heard so many good things about Christies and their reputation in the live-in care sector and I feel very privileged to be a part of this. Christies is a real family-run business, we have strong values which resonate throughout the company. Christies Care really does have that family feel which sets this company apart from so many others.

My key focus for Christies is continual service improvement and change management. My passion is people: I love working with our staff to influence and lead them to ensure that we give the best service possible to our clients and carers.”

Ian Ibrahim

Ian Ibrahim

Having spent most of my career working in hospitality as an operational leader, I decided it was time to find a new challenge.  A role in the private healthcare sector was the perfect fit.

I believe my values align very well with Christies Care Ltd.  I am equally driven by my passion for delivering outstanding levels of customer service and creating high performing management teams. 

I very much look forward to growing along with the business as we develop throughout East Anglia. 

Emily Smith

As the New Client Team Leader, I am proud of the service that my team strives to offer our new clients. I am lucky to work with such a passionate and driven team.

I am proud of the service that my team strives to offer our new clients. I am lucky to work with such a passionate and driven team.

Tim Middleton

I have worked for Christies Care since 2005, where I started in a role supporting our carers. I have worked my way up through a variety of management roles until I started in my current position in 2021.

Seeing people develop and grow and the difference we make to people’s lives with the service is what I enjoy most about my job.

I spend my spare time with my family and enjoy walking, reading and most sports particularly football and basketball

I have worked for Christies Care since 2005, where I started in a role supporting our carers. I have worked my way up through a variety of management roles until I started in my current position in 2021.

Seeing people develop and grow and the difference we make to people’s lives with the service is what I enjoy most about my job.

I spend my spare time with my family and enjoy walking, reading and most sports particularly football and basketball