Meet the board

The Camden Society has a board who are locally accountable and responsive to the needs of the people we support and our staff teams.

Jenny Garrigan

Non Executive Director

Jenny's day job is an executive director for Thera Trust where she shares her Learning Disability Leadership role with Matthew Smith, who brings his lived experience of learning disability to the role alongside his work in advocacy. Jenny was born and brought up in Angus, Scotland and qualified as a nurse (RNLD) in Dundee the mid 1980s. Since then, she has worked in both health and social care. Throughout her career, Jenny has focussed on working with people to develop their opportunities and move on from institutional care.

Ben Lanes

Managing Director

Ben has worked with people with a learning disability for over 25 years. He is passionate about delivering great support, and he is very proud to have led teams that have been rated as Outstanding by the Care Quality Commission in his previous role.

Oliver Smith

Service Quality Director

Oliver works closely with people supported, staff and The Camden Society board to ensure we achieve our vision and help people make their own choices. Oliver uses his own experience of having a learning disability to make sure The Camden Society provides quality care and support.

Mark Johnson

Non-Executive Director

Mark has spent his corporate career in the Retail Industry working in senior leadership positions in the UK, Europe and Asia. He has been privileged to have worked for and with some of the largest organisations on the planet and in 2018 Mark was recognised as one of the top 100 minds in retail at the World Retail & Sustainability Congress. Before the pandemic he was using his skills and expertise working with and advising leaders in challenging countries across South Asia. He is currently working with local government on developing home to school transportation for SEND children. Mark is also a District Councillor working with the West Oxfordshire District Council and enjoys running Ultra-Marathons in his spare time!

Adrian Jarvis

Non-Executive Director

Adrian brings 35 years of business leadership experience to the board. He received his MBA from Nottingham Trent University and worked in the UK and US energy sectors in a variety of senior positions. He held responsibilities for establishing new companies, setting direction and operational development for long term, sustainable success. With family members who have a learning disability, he is keen to use his understanding and experience to help all the people we support to live the life they choose.