Our Leadership Team

Emma joined Helping Hands as CEO in 2024 having worked across Education, Health and Social Care for over 25 years. Emma is committed to delivering great outcomes for individuals who need support and has focussed the Helping Hands purpose on ‘helping people live well at home and in the communities they love’. Joining from Achieve Together, a specialist support provider for working age adults with a learning disabilities, autism, or complex needs across the UK, Emma was shortlisted as an ‘Outstanding Leader’ in the Health Investor Power 50 awards, which recognises the industry’s most effective, inspiring, and influential leaders.

Tristan joined Helping Hands in May 2025, having previously been Chief Financial Officer at Poundstretcher. He has 18 years’ experience in senior finance roles in organisations such as M&S, O2 and SAB Miller and has worked in Russia, Switzerland and Australia, as well as the UK. For 5 years, he was a non-executive director for Dorset Healthcare University NHS Foundation Trust, a Community Hospital and Mental Health Trust.  During his tenure, the Trust was awarded an Outstanding rating by the Care Quality Commission. He holds the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) qualification and has an MBA from Melbourne Business School.

Karyn joined Helping Hands in 2018, bringing a wealth of management experience from senior operations roles in health and care businesses. She previously spent eight years managing a large group of private hospitals and held the role of COO for a multisite veterinary company and retail healthcare group. She began her career running a chain of well-established fitness clubs. In 2024, Karyn was recognised by management consultancy, EY, in their UK SuperScalers report which showcases the impact of the UK’s leading female growth-oriented entrepreneurs and highlights their contribution to the UK economy.

Jane joined the Helping Hands Board in November 2022 with more than 25 years of experience in the aged care sector, including 13 as CEO of a national provider of care and housing, supporting 60,000 customers. Jane is passionate about understanding the changing expectations and demands of customers and ensuring these are fulfilled by engaged and skilled colleagues.  She was appointed a CBE in the Queen’s New Year Honours 2015 for services to older people and recognised for her contribution to the sector in 2021 with a Laing and Buisson Lifetime Achievement Award. She won the Health Investor Top 50 “Grand Prix” in successive years for her work on quality and growing services.  Jane is also Chair of the GoodGym charity, a Non-Executive Board member of Porthaven Care Home, and an executive coach to senior leaders in the ageing services sector.