Achieve together, a provider of specialist support in adult social care, has appointed Zak Houlahan as chief executive and John Ivers as a non-executive director.

Houlahan has 20 years’ senior management experience, most recently as acting chair and chief executive at Enerveo Group, the former multidisciplinary contracting business of European energy utility SSE. Before that, he led business units at Amey local government, TCR Group and several environmental businesses.

Houlahan said: “I look forward to leading the organisation to ensure that people we support, and their families, remain at the heart of our organisation, where together we can continue to exceed expectations and provide people with every opportunity to fulfil their potential.”

Ivers is an experienced health and social care leader, having worked in a number of key executive roles over the past 17 years. These include chief operating officer at CareTech, chief executive of Nestor Healthcare, chief executive of Saga Healthcare and chief operating officer of HC-One.

Ivers said: “I look forward to working with the amazing and dedicated Achieve together team, as we all look to continue to make a positive difference to the lives of those we support, their families and wider support networks.”

Mike Parish, chair of Achieve together said: “We are delighted to welcome both Zak and John, both highly accomplished leaders who share the values and passion of the Achieve together team.” Achieve together supports people with learning disabilities, autism and associated complex needs. It caters to 2,300 young people and adults in more than 420 services across England and Wales and employs 6,000 people