Carole Edmond (pictured) has stepped down from her role as chief executive of the Regard Group, HealthInvestor UK can confirm. Consequently the group’s chief financial officer Nicky Hopkins has taken over leadership duties.

Having joined Regard as managing director in January 2017, Edmond became chief executive in January last year, taking over from Sandie Foxall-Smith, whose departure followed the group’s acquisition by AMP Capital.

The Regard Group issued the following statement: “We can confirm that Carole Edmond has stepped down from her role as chief executive of the Regard Group. We would like to thank Carole for her leadership of Regard. She has been an inspirational leader, navigating the organisation through a period of significant development and ensuring the provision of outstanding care services to individuals and families across England and Wales.

“Nicky Hopkins, currently CFO of Regard, will be taking on leadership duties while we develop our long-term strategy for the organisation.”