Lessons from Big Care Enterprises to Family-Owned Care – with Kevin Humphrys, CEO of Oakland Care Group

What can care leaders learn from leading at every scale — from national providers to small, family-owned homes?

In this episode, we sit down with Kevin Humphrys, CEO of Oakland Care Group, to explore the realities of leadership in social care — from navigating bureaucracy in large organisations to building trust and agility in smaller, family-led settings.

Kevin’s career spans more than 15 years across the care sector, from Allied Healthcare to local charities, interim turnarounds, and now a family-owned group on the South Coast. He shares honest reflections on:

• The cultural and operational contrasts between big and small care organisations

• The hidden workload of policy, governance, and compliance for smaller providers

• How leaders can balance paperwork with people-centred care

• The role of technology and platforms like OpenDoc in reducing admin and improving quality

• What the next generation of care leaders can do differently

This conversation goes beyond leadership — it’s about purpose, integrity, and how collaboration and shared knowledge can move the care sector forward.

 

🧠 Key Takeaways

• Leadership in care is about balance — between structure and flexibility, compliance and compassion.

• Smaller providers carry a heavy governance burden — but digital tools and shared resources can make a real difference.

• Technology should free people up for human connection, not replace it.

• Sharing knowledge across the sector strengthens everyone — collaboration over competition.

👤 About the Guest

Kevin Humphrys is the CEO of Oakland Care Group, a family-owned care provider based on the South Coast. With a background spanning corporate healthcare, charity leadership, and interim management, Kevin brings a unique perspective on leadership, governance, and innovation in care. He’s also an active voice in care networks across Sussex and a contributor to OpenDoc, a platform transforming how care organisations share and manage policies.

🎧 Tune In If You’re Interested In

• Leadership and management in health and social care

• How technology and AI are reshaping care delivery

• Governance and compliance in small and medium-sized care providers

• Stories of purpose-driven leadership and sector innovation

🔗 Connect

Follow Kevin Humphrys and Oakland Care Group on LinkedIn for more insights and updates.