At Swanton Care, we’re proud to celebrate the achievements of colleagues who go above and beyond in their professional development. One such colleague is Kate Townsley, Divisional Director for Wales, whose commitment to leadership and innovation has been recognised through her academic achievements.
Kate recently completed a PGCE in Sustainable Leadership alongside a CMI Level 7 in Strategic Leadership, a journey that she says was driven by a desire to combine strategic thinking with values-based practice.
“As Divisional Director for Wales, I need to balance service quality, growth, and long-term resilience,” Kate explained. “These qualifications have given me the tools to do that while embedding sustainability and inclusivity into everything we deliver.”
Her studies not only deepened her understanding of ESG principles in care delivery but also honed her skills in strategic planning, inclusive leadership, and performance management.
For Kate, becoming a Chartered Manager and joining the Chartered Management Institute represents a milestone on both a personal and professional level. “It validates years of dedication to leadership and demonstrates credibility to regulators, commissioners, and colleagues,” she said. “Being recognised as a Chartered Manager reinforces that my leadership has both academic rigour and practical influence.”
Kate points to a key insight from her studies as especially significant: the link between inclusive leadership and workforce stability. “Understanding how authentic engagement and valuing diversity directly impact retention has reshaped how I approach succession planning. It’s a theme that underpins much of my leadership journey,” she reflected.
Looking ahead, Kate is excited about how her new skills will support both her teams and the people Swanton supports across Wales. Whether it’s reducing reliance on agency staff, embedding digital care planning, or developing specialist services that commissioners need, her focus is on long-term resilience.
Her achievements have inspired many of her colleagues. “When my team heard about the qualifications and Chartered Manager status, they were hugely supportive and proud,” Kate said. “It’s encouraged them to think about their own professional development journeys.”
Kate’s message to others considering professional development is simple: “Investing in yourself is investing in the people you support.” For her, that investment has already paid off, enriching her leadership and laying the foundations for a brighter, more resilient future for care in Wales.
