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 The Banyan Tree. 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 and regionally respected Ofsted regulated children’s care services across the UK.
Rebecca Ouellani
Director of Operations
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.
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.
Kelly Bennett
Head of Operations
Kelly has worked with The Banyan since 2012, and was previously a Child Protection Social Worker at Leicester City Council where she supported children and their families with a range of needs in different contexts including care proceedings, private law proceedings, and rehabilitation of children back to their families of origin. Whilst at Leicester, she also completed comprehensive training in the Signs of Safety Model, and became a practice lead in this area.
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
Group Head of Systems Development & Data
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.
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.
Karen Fowler
Placements Manager
Karen has extensive experience within the children and young people’s social care industry. She has in-depth knowledge and skills in safeguarding, and experience with building excellent rapport with young people and Local Authority placement teams across England. Her qualifications include BA Hon Psychosocial Studies, HE Diploma – Social Work and Community Work, and Level 3 Designated Safeguarding.
Becky Dalton
Registered Manager – Park House (Maternity Leave)
Becky has experience of working with children and young people from a variety of social and cultural backgrounds with complex needs, including youth offending, victims of child exploitation, and children and young people with emotional and behavioural needs, learning difficulties, and mental health diagnoses. Her qualifications include Health and Social Care Level Three, Level Three Diploma: Children’s Workforce, and Level 5 in Leadership and Management.
Lucy Campion
Interim Manager – Park House
Lucy holds a BA Hons in Working with Children, Young People and Families from Sheffield Hallam University. Prior to joining The Banyan Tree, Lucy has completed placements where she worked with 16-18-year olds with a range of Learning Disabilities such as Autism Spectrum Disorder, Prader-Willi Syndrome, and Aspergers Syndrome. She also worked in a specialised college for young people with Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs. Lucy is currently undertaking the Level Five Diploma in Leadership and Management.
Sophie Savage
Registered Manager – Suntrap
Prior to joining The Banyan Tree, Sophie held previous roles in children’s residential care, and mental health services working with children and young people with a wide range of complex needs, including attachment-based needs, trauma experienced children and young people, children and young people with significant social, emotional, and mental health needs, learning disabilities, ASD, ADHD, child and adolescent mental health, and CSE. Sophie is currently studying for the Level Five Leadership and Management Diploma.
Dale Sessions
Deputy Manager – Suntrap
Dale joined the Banyan Tree in 2017 as a Residential Support Worker before promoted to Deputy Manager. Prior to this, Dale held different roles in residential childcare including working with children and young people within the criminal justice system. Dale has recently been awarded the Level Five Diploma in Leadership and Management.
Gill Cronk
Deputy Manager – Peripatetic Suntrap
Gill joined The Banyan Tree in 2008 as a Senior Residential Support Worker before being promoted to Deputy Peripatetic Manager. Gill holds the NVQ Level Three in Caring for Children and Young People, and Level Five Diploma in Leadership and Management.
Ashley Denton
Interim Manager – Bostock
Ashley has worked with children and adults across a range of needs in both residential and school settings since 2012. Ashley completed her BSc Social Work at the University of Lincoln and has been registered with the HCPC since 2013. She also has experience of working with adults with learning and physical disabilities, as well as working within a charity and the probation service to support and rehabilitate adult offenders.
