General Manager 

Michelle Whitmill

I have worked for Signature for around 4 years as a General Manager. I am a nurse and have worked in care homes for the past 15 years.
I have 4 children, who are 21, 20, 12 and 9yrs old. They are kind enough to keep me busy as their chauffer and entertaining their friends! When I do get some time to myself, I do enjoy tinkering with Max – Max is my Mazda MX-5

Client Liaison Manager

Kendra Bray

As a Client Liaison Manager at Bentley House, it is my responsibility to meet with families who are looking for lifestyle options for themselves or their loved ones, providing advice and guidance during this sometimes difficult and emotional stage in their lives.

My background is within the care industry on a regional level but I am now proud to be a part of the Bentley House family, as this gives me the opportunity to get to know our residents and their families and continue to be a support for them throughout their journey.

Move- In Co-ordinator

Jenny Vanlint 

I have worked in the Care Sector for ten years and the past five years at Bentley House.
Firstly in an administration role covering Finance and HR and my present position as Move In Coordinator within the Marketing Department.
I have successfully completed an Advanced Level in Customer Service together with my Business Administration Diploma.

I am passionate to ensure the Resident’s move into their new apartment goes smoothly. By liaising with the Resident and their family at every stage of the move in process.
From overseeing furniture deliveries and to make sure the wishes of the resident are fully put in place for their new home.
We always have a warm welcome for the Resident and their family when coming to Bentley House.

Dementia Care Manager

Carol Quinn

When I was at school my ambition was always to be a nurse for as long as I can remember.

Didn’t like school much so when I was 15 I left school and was lucky to be employed as a cadet nurse. I was excited and spent 3 years in that position, after which I trained to become a nurse for those with special needs and years later trained as a general nurse.

Deviated once after my son was born and I moved back up north. I was “Matron” in charge of what seemed like hundreds of babies and small children in Pontins Holiday camp. Quite an experience.

I have worked in a care home setting for the past 27 years!

Many years have passed since my time as a cadet nurse, but I still have the same passion for caring for people.

I have a son still living at home, and a daughter and one beautiful grandson who now live in Spain so enjoy trips to the sun.

Residential Manager

Michelle Humphreys

I have worked in health and social care for 8 years. I have progressed throughout my career by achieving level 2,3,4 and 5 in health and social care Management. I have worked as a Care Manager in domiciliary, covering two boroughs, Epping and Harlow; however, my heart is within a home setting and have been a Residential Manager for 5 years.

I am very passionate about my role and the residents are at the heart of all I do. Seeing smiles on others that I and my team help and support is worth more than anything. Going home feeling extremely proud that we have made a difference to someone’s life. I would describe myself as a friendly, polite, approachable and kind person, always willing to help others and always willing to learn mote to expand my knowledge.
I thrive to support others to progress in their careers, as I have learnt over the years with a supportive Manager, you can become anything you desire. I will ensure that I always ‘wake up with determination and go to bed with satisfaction’

Nursing Manager

Shiji

I have been working in care/nursing industry for 28 years. I graduated as BSc Nurse in 1992 in India. Started my career as nurse since then. Initial 2 years I worked in India in a Multi Super Specialty Medical College Hospital, from nurse role to Ward In charge role.
In 1994 I moved to Kuwait, worked in Ministry of health in surgical unit as nurse to Ward in charge.
In 2006 moved to UK and started my career in UK. Worked for few health care providers in different roles such as nurse, Dementia manager, Deputy Manager and home manager.
When Bentley house about to open I always used to tell my colleagues that I am going to Bentley House when it opens. My word came true. I got the job as nurse at Bentley house and started my career with Signature. I promoted as nursing care manager in 2019.
I am responsible for managing the nursing team and to work with them in making clinical decisions, to make a difference in our resident’s lives where possible. I love my team and really appreciate their hard work and team spirit. The team is very dedicated in their role. I feel very privileged to be part of such a lovely, caring team who are dedicated to maintaining the best quality of life for all our residents.

Head Chef

Tony Henderson

Standing next to my granny was my first memory of food. I would help her with preparing the evening meal for all the family and that started my love of cooking when I realised that I could make people happy just by mixing together a few ingredients.
I then started in the food hospitality industry in the mid-’80s and have over 30 years of experience in hotels, contract catering and banqueting events.
I believe in cooking fresh seasonal ingredients to provide well balanced and creative menus to meet my customer’s expectations.
I have moved to the private care sector to bring my wealth of experience to lead the chef team to higher standards of food delivery.
My wife and I love taking our two Labradors for long walks in the countryside where we live and also enjoy eating out to broaden our food knowledge

People Services Manager

Gaye Summers

After graduating from the University of Warwick in 1989, I joined Sainsbury’s as a graduate trainee and worked in a number of roles in Head Office and stores, moving into an HR role in 2003.
In 2006, I moved into the care sector, joining a privately-run care home business based in North London as HR Officer. During my time there, I gained my CIPD qualification. In January 2015, I joined a larger, privately-run care home business based in Herts and Bucks and worked as an HR Advisor.
I joined Bentley House in July 2016 as HR Manager, bringing to the role a wealth of valuable and extensive HR and care sector experience. I am based at Bentley House but now also support other Signature Homes in the Region. I’m very proud to be working for Signature Senior Lifestyle!
I am passionate about people and make it my mission to recruit the best care and nursing staff for Bentley House. We are always looking for people who are interested in working with the elderly and want to do a good job!
If you would like to join our great team, please email your CV with a covering note to hr.bentley@signaturesl.co.uk

Hospitality Manager

Lorence Pjetri

I have worked in the service industry for over 10 years, with vast experience across catering, venue and hotel management and hospitality. I am an ambitious, outgoing and commercially astute individual with a passion for delivering outstanding customer service and exceeding expectations; I believe this comes through hard work, attention to detail and team bonding. Our Residents and the team of Bentley House and Signature group are at the heart of what we do and what we strive towards to. Through the ethos and values we share and believe in, every day is a new day, striving for service excellence, improving and creating unique experiences for our Residents. I joined Bentley House as their Hospitality Services Manager, where I have been given the opportunity to use my experience and being able to put my decision-making capabilities, management skills and unceasing work ethic to good use in order to improve the lives of every Resident we care for and a proud team that makes Bentley House a great place to work in.

Restaurant Manager

Thomas Francis

and I am the restaurant manager of Bentley house. I am originally from Hull in Yorkshire; I do have a “bit” of an accent so living down south and communicating has been interesting. I first moved down south to Bedfordshire when I was 19 for university to study computer science, passing with a second class with honours. Even though I did enjoy my time at university and the degree I study in, it just was not for me. My family has always been active workers either working in the forces or factories.

I was able to fulfil this desire to be more active, passionate and to make a difference in 2015 when I joined Signature. I originally started as a restaurant assistance and loved it from the get-go. I always found pleasure in my work and helping the residents of Bentley house. I was fortunate enough to achieve the role of a restaurant manager in mid-2018 and within this role, I strive to make sure residents and their family are always given great service and to feel their needs have been met.

Housekeeping Manager 

Iza Smolarek 

I have been in the Hospitality industry for over 15 years and 10 years in a managerial role. After graduating from the University in Poland I moved to the Netherlands and in 2007 to the UK. I honed my hospitality skills in five-star boutique hotels in Amsterdam and London (Chelsea, South Kensington and Westminster) and at NVQ level 3 in Hospitality Leadership Principles, Catering and Front of House.

In the future, I would like to study Business Management in Healthcare at a University in London. I joined Bentley House in November 2014 as their Housekeeping and Laundry Manager. Hospitality is my passion!

I really enjoy each day with residents and families, together with my great team making Bentley House spotless clean home – Bentley House is warm, full of laughter and love. I am a member of the UK Housekeeping Association and Care Professional Standards Academy.

My hobbies include writing, painting and taking photographs.

Maintenance Manager 

Nathan Hodgson 

I have fifteen years’ experience in tiling and various building projects across the country. I also have a varied range of knowledge in most aspects of building and maintenance. I have been with Signature for a year and a half now and have enjoyed gaining knowledge of how the company works, as well as building relationships with the staff, residents and their families. My hobbies include cycling, music and travel.