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Debbie Harris

Managing Director

Health and Social Care platform

2023 will be the year that Social Care…'embraces digital and connects.'

Debbie has dedicated a large part of her career to helping families find the best care options for their loved ones. With 90% of the decision-making process now happening online, she's one of the pioneers bringing that experience into the digital world.

Autumna is the largest online directory for later-life care options - 'Rightmove for elderly care' - helping potential customers to make informed decisions and providers to promote what they can offer. 

Taking inspiration from other industries such as hospitality, real estate and healthcare, one of Autumna's driving principles is continuing to disrupt the Social Care Sector. One example is S.A.F.E. (Symptom Assessment For Everyone), which enables providers to upload third-party validated information about their infection control procedures.

 
In conversation with Debbie

Describe your 2022 in one word:

Exciting.

What was your / your team’s biggest achievement in 2022?

Building a fantastic team of motivated people who can see Autumna's goal for 2023.

What was the biggest challenge and how did you overcome it?

Working remotely across the UK. We overcame it by embracing the challenge and building micro-groups on Teams who work in a virtual office together sharing experiences and insights. Everybody comes together on Teams at the beginning and end of the day to share their day.

What are your priorities for 2023?

Building on our unique position of working with both providers and care seekers and understanding what both parties want and need and delivering it.

Name a skill or habit you would like to cultivate this year:

More of a work-life balance. When you believe so passionately about a subject it can be hard to switch off!

Which bit of tech (hardware or software) could you not live without?

CRM. We work with thousands of new clients every month.

Android or iPhone?

iPhone

Teams or Zoom?

Teams

Debbie speaks regularly about her passion for driving meaningful change in the sector, with a standout example being her TedTalk which you can check out below: