Our Dedicated and Trustworthy Team
MEET
The Team

Dr Zia Zamir
CEO
Zia is a graduate from Oxford University (Saïd Business School) and holds his Level 7 and Level 8 diplomas in Strategic Management & Leadership. Zia also completed his PhD in Education and has been a visionary in school leadership and management around the world, building on his science background. Also a former SAR helicopter pilot for the UN (DESA Africa), Zia is dedicated to improving the welfare of those in need and fulfilling humanitarian work through his partner charities.

Melanie Zamir
Managing Director and Responsible Individual
Melanie has many years of experience in the establishment of care homes and ensuring that children in care have access to education. She has a comprehensive understanding of both the business and education models of care homes in a rapidly changing landscape.
Melanie’s knowledge, aptitudes and skills are applied to a variety of fields, with proven abilities in Human Resource Management, the planning of care, strategic management, financial management and organisational development.
With a background in education, Melanie has worked in Europe and the Middle East in a variety of teaching and school management roles. A qualified English teacher, Melanie has also completed her MA in International Education. She is currently studying her Level 5 in Leadership and Management and at Cambridge University, Women Leading Change in Business.

Wayne Cooper
Director of Education
Wayne graduated with a degree with Honours in French with Teaching Studies from the University of Surrey: Roehampton Institute in July 1994, after which he commenced his teaching career. His roles have ranged from class teacher to Interim Executive Headteacher. He is currently a headteacher of a large, urban infant school in the London Borough of Croydon. The school is characterised by its high levels of pupils and families with English as an additional language.
Amongst numerous awards and qualifications, Wayne has acquired his National Professional Qualification in Headship (NPQH) and more recently, his National Professional Qualification in Executive Headship in 2021 (NPQEL).
Currently, Wayne has undertaken an MSc in Health and Social Care and will be overseeing the education and staff training at Bayleaf Care.

Dr Usmaan Khan BDS
Director of Business
Dr Usmaan qualified as a dentist from the University of Manchester and has joined the Bayleaf team as the Director of Business & Finance. He has a strong understanding of business and finance having run his own company successfully. To further his understanding will be enrolling with the University of Oxford’s Said business school on their course.
Dr Usmaan is passionate about the Bayleaf vision and the model of care we provide. He is keen to make sure every young person is looked after well and will not compromise on their care.

Dee Chauhan
Head of Acquisitions & Finance
Dee has a Degree in Economics and has spent the past 36 years as the director of a very successful corporate finance business. Dee has also been an Operations Director for a property development company in the UK and Ireland. Dee is currently involved in advising high net worth foreign investors in the acquisition of UK land and property and is hoping to use his skills to improve the living conditions of vulnerable children.

Laura Rider
Director of Operations
Laura has over 24 years experience working in the children’s residential sector within various roles, progressing from residential support worker to Director of Operations. She has also worked as part of a quality team supporting other registered managers to improve the quality of service delivery within their homes.
Her experience predominantly lies with autism and learning disabilities however this expands to EBD, SEMH and complex health needs.
Laura is passionate about providing the best possible care for children and young people allowing ample opportunities to have positive and memorable experiences

Eleanor Walters
Operations Manager & Responsible Individual
Eleanor has worked in children’s residential care since 2017 and has managed a number of homes, achieving Outstanding in all areas by Ofsted in her last 2 homes.
Eleanor has completed her Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management in Residential Childcare.
She is passionate about providing care for children to support them to achieve positive outcomes and flourish to their full potential. Eleanor also enjoys supporting staff members and managers to help develop their skills and knowledge.

Coming Soon
Operations Manager & Responsible individual
Coming soon..

Michelle Davies
Operations & Commissioning Manager
Michelle has worked within the Children’s Residential Services since 2008 and has completed her Level 5 in Leadership and Management. Michelle has previous experience managing and RI over children’s homes and supporting Regional areas, gaining Good and Outstanding homes. with knowledge in Commissioning for Children’s homes.
Michelle has passion working in this field and providing high Quality Care to all young people and ensuring that staff development and knowledge is priority.

Brittany Cox-Kinally
Registered Manager
Brittany is the Registered Manager of Doveside. She has worked in children’s residential care since 2017 across a number of settings and has extensive experience supporting children with learning disabilities and complex health care needs.
Brittany has a BSc (Hons) in Mathematics and Psychology and has completed her Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management in Residential Childcare.
Brittany is passionate about providing opportunities for children to grow and thrive in warm, supportive environments surrounded by people who care for them deeply. She is also a firm believer in personal development for staff and has supported colleagues through functional skills qualifications and diplomas.

Taranjit Longdon
Registered Manager
Taranjit is the registered manager of Yew Tree. She has over 21 years experience supporting children and young people predominantly with a diagnosis of autism, learning difficulties, challenging behaviour and other associated complex/health needs.
Taranjit is trained to level 5 equivalent in Care and Management and is a designated safeguarding lead.
She is passionate about the care she provides to children and has fulfilled many roles in Children’s Homes, within her career and through her development she has become a successful Deputy and Registered Manager in large Children’s Home.