Andrew Shelton-Murray has taken on the post of interim chief executive of Swanton Care & Community following the firm’s recent acquisition by Apposite Capital.

Shelton-Murray (pictured) will hold the post until November when he will be replaced by full-time chief executive Garry Cross.

They replace Alison Rose-Quirie in the role.

Shelton-Murray has worked in the health and social care sector for over 30 years, and has held roles at Danshell and Inmind Healthcare. Once Cross takes up the chief executive position, Shelton-Murray will become non-executive director on the board.

Cross was previously the commercial and acquisitions director at Lifeways Group and has worked in health and social care for a decade.

Gary Thompson also joins the team as operations director. Thompson was previously operations director at Autism Care UK as well as a managing director of clinical services and supports at Lifeways.

Apposite Capital acquired Swanton, which provides residential and community services for people with autism, learning disabilities, acquired brain injuries and mental health issues, in July this year.

Shelton-Murray commented: “Swanton has already started to provide a robust care pathway and has a dedicated and very experienced team. Under my leadership, and then Garry’s, we will build an organisation that delivers the highest quality care and support for our service users, their families and our commissioners.

“It’s no secret that the social care sector has faced unprecedented financial challenges in recent years but I am confident that we can invest in the right places and build an organisation that will be truly leading edge and be outcome focused.

“The success of this organisation simply depends on delivering outstanding and truly person centred services and that is exactly what we will do in the coming years.”