Transformational leader driving systemic change in health and social care. Founder of the Registered Manager Residency. Director at Zanele Ltd, BerDia Solutions & Ray Ark Care Ltd.
ILM Level 5 Diploma in Leadership & Management (in progress)
Nearly two decades of public sector transformation
"Financial sustainability and quality of care are not in opposition — they are mutually reinforcing when the right systems and skills are in place."
For nearly two decades, Diana Sherwood has worked at the intersection of health and social care, driven by a single conviction: that the most complex systemic challenges require intelligent, evidence-based, and compassionate solutions.
As a consultant to over 15 local authorities and ICBs, she has delivered over £20 million in financial efficiencies — not by cutting services, but by re-engineering them to deliver better outcomes for people and better value for the public purse.
Diana's approach consistently demonstrates that financial sustainability and quality of care are not in conflict. They are mutually reinforcing when the right systems and skills are in place. She does not simply identify what is broken; she designs, funds, and delivers the fix.
Every challenge is an opportunity to design a better system. Diana turns personal and sector-wide problems into scalable, intelligent solutions.
Decisions grounded in data, professional curiosity, and rigorous analysis — never assumptions or convention.
Building partnerships, developing other leaders, and creating the conditions for sustainable, systemic change.
Currently completing ILM Level 5 in Leadership & Management — modelling the same commitment she asks of her sector.
Three interconnected ventures, each addressing a distinct and critical failure in the social care sector.
Innovation & Workforce Development
Zanele Ltd is Diana's strategic consultancy and innovation vehicle. Its flagship initiative is the Registered Manager Residency (RMR) — a pioneering 6 to 12-month leadership development programme designed to address the chronic shortage of Ofsted-registered managers in children's residential care.
Independent Assessments & Reviews
Co-founded with a business partner, BerDia Solutions provides a specialist, scalable solution for local authorities and health boards struggling with statutory backlogs and commissioning challenges. Every intervention is strengths-based, person-centred, and grounded in professional curiosity.
Direct Care Provision
Ray Ark Care, co-founded with a business partner, is Diana's commitment to not just advising on outstanding care, but delivering it. As Director and Responsible Individual, she is establishing Horizon House — a children's residential home, currently in the Ofsted registration process.
Together, these ventures cover the full arc of the sector — from commissioning and workforce development to independent assessment and direct care provision.
Forensic analysis of care packages, benchmarking with CareCubed, and evidence-based recommendations that deliver sustainable savings without compromising quality.
Nationally recognised expertise in negotiating high-cost placements with providers. Practical, scenario-based training delivered for the LGA, iESE, and multiple councils.
CPD-accredited training programmes designed to build genuine confidence in social workers and commissioners — not just theoretical knowledge, but behavioural change.
Independent, person-centred Care Act assessments and reviews that are never a tick-box exercise. Strengths-based, professionally curious, and grounded in evidence.
Specialist transition reviews that intervene before age 18 to prevent legacy over-provision and create proportionate, right-sized adult care packages.
End-to-end delivery of complex, multi-stakeholder transformation programmes. Skilled in stakeholder engagement, contract management, and strategic optimisation.
Across every dimension of her career, Diana is guided by a consistent and coherent set of principles: that financial sustainability and quality of care are not in opposition, that systemic problems require systemic solutions, and that the most powerful form of leadership is the kind that develops other leaders.
She does not simply identify what is broken; she designs, funds, and delivers the fix. She does not simply train others to be better; she is actively completing her own advanced leadership qualification. She does not simply advise on care provision; she is building a home.
"I don't just advise on change; I design, build, and deliver it."
The principles that guide every decision and every venture.
Doing the right thing, even when it is difficult.
The individual is always at the heart of every decision.
Rigorous analysis over assumption or convention.
Building partnerships that create lasting change.
Every problem is an opportunity to design something better.
The willingness to challenge the status quo and build what is needed.
Whether you are a local authority looking for commissioning support, a provider interested in the Registered Manager Residency, or a sector peer who wants to collaborate — Diana would love to hear from you.
Diana is open to partnerships, speaking engagements, consultancy commissions, and sector collaboration across all three ventures.