Our Team

Our Senior Leadership Team combines strategic expertise with a passion for delivering outstanding care.

Their leadership shapes our culture, drives our quality standards, and ensures every Fortava home provides safe, compassionate, and exceptional support.

Johann van Zyl

CEO and Co-founder of Fortava Healthcare
In 2012, Johann became CEO of PJ Care, a leading neurological care and rehab provider. He went on to co-found Cornerstone Healthcare in 2018, which quickly rose to prominence—winning HealthInvestor’s Complex Care Provider of the Year in both 2020 and 2021, and Specialist Care Provider of the Year in 2023. With over a decade of senior leadership experience in specialist care, Johann is driven by a deep passion to transform the way dementia care is delivered. He believes in building care environments that are not only clinically excellent but also empowering for staff and uplifting for residents. A committed advocate for frontline care teams, Johann champions investment in training, wellbeing, and leadership development as core pillars of sustainable, high-quality care. His influence and impact were acknowledged by HealthInvestors magazine, which recognised him in both 2022 and 2023 among the 50 most influential figures in England’s health and social care domain. In 2024, Johann was named Specialist and Complex Care Leader of the Year by HealthInvestors magazine.

Jamie Stuart

Chief Commercial Officer and co-founder of Fortava Healthcare

Jamie Stuart holds a PhD in Chemistry and is a Chartered Accountant by training. With a career spanning over 25 years in corporate banking, he has developed deep expertise in the health and social care sector. Most recently, he served as Deputy Head of the award-winning Health & Social Care team at Virgin Money.

Jamie currently sits on the boards of Precious Homes and iBC Healthcare. He is deeply passionate about delivering high-quality care and firmly believes that investing in and empowering care staff is essential to achieving the best outcomes for residents. At Fortava Healthcare, he brings a wealth of financial insight, sector knowledge, and a values-driven approach to his leadership role.

Angela Johnson MCIPD

Director of People Services

Angela is an experienced HR leader with over 30 years in senior roles across health and social care, education, and corporate sectors. She has led people strategies through major organisational change, establishing HR functions from the ground up, introducing national pay structures, and reducing sickness absence and agency costs. Her work has included successful UK and international recruitment campaigns, as well as the launch of apprenticeship and management development programmes.

A CIPD-qualified professional, Angela is passionate about supporting staff at every stage of their journey. She focuses on creating positive working environments, improving employee wellbeing, and ensuring clear development pathways. Her approach helps individuals feel valued, supported, and equipped to grow within their roles, fostering a culture of care, respect, and continuous improvement.

Kate Kay

Head of Ops and Clinical Compliance

With a background as a Registered Nurse, Kate brings extensive experience across the care home sector, having progressed through senior leadership roles including Head of Operations and Quality Compliance. She combines deep clinical expertise with operational insight, leading teams to deliver safe, person-centred, and regulatory-compliant care.

Passionate about driving excellence, she is committed to raising care standards and enhancing the quality of life for every resident. Her leadership is grounded in empathy, integrity, and a firm belief that everyone deserves to age with dignity, respect, and purpose.

Gail Busher

Head of Finance

Gail brings over 30 years of finance experience, having held senior roles across sectors including manufacturing, engineering, and services. She has a strong track record in financial leadership, operational improvement, and supporting sustainable growth. Her international experience in the United States and Spain has further broadened her commercial insight and adaptability.

Now at Fortava Healthcare, Gail is excited to contribute to a purpose-driven organisation focused on transforming dementia care. She looks forward to using her expertise to support the team’s mission and help build a strong financial foundation for long-term success.

Natasha Gwyther

Head Of Marketing & Communications

Natasha began her healthcare career in 2018 with Cornerstone Healthcare, an award-winning provider of complex care. During her time there, Cornerstone became widely recognised as a national leader in specialist care. Natasha supported this growth while championing the organisation’s values and commitment to excellence.

She is passionate about promoting the positive impact of social care and highlighting the vital work of care professionals. Now at Fortava Healthcare, Natasha is excited to help drive meaningful change in dementia care across the UK.