SMALL GROUP/4 HOMES
Keith MillsDSC
Managing Director, Doveleigh Care
Keith Mills DSC is managing director of Doveleigh Care, four East Devon care homes. A former Royal Marines captain, he led the 1982 South Georgia defence.
BIOGRAPHY
Keith Mills DSC is managing director of Doveleigh Care Ltd, which runs four care homes in East Devon. The group's own releases in 2025 and 2026 style him director. He has been in care since 1996, when he acquired his first home, and Companies House lists him as a director of Doveleigh Care Limited from its incorporation on 28 January 2000. In January 2025 the group had three homes rated Outstanding by the Care Quality Commission, and one of them had been rated Outstanding in all five inspection categories twice running.
Before care he was an officer in the Royal Marines, from 1978 to 1996. As a lieutenant in April 1982 he commanded a 22-man detachment on South Georgia, which fought the Argentine landing at Grytviken on 3 April. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, and the citation (London Gazette, 3 June 1982) credited him with a valiant defence against overwhelming odds. He was promoted to captain in 1989, spent 1992 to 1995 as an exchange officer with the Royal Netherlands Marine Corps, and left the Marines in July 1996.
At Doveleigh he has run a small group with a record in national awards. In November 2017 the company won Care Home Group of the Year and National Care Home of the Year at the National Care Awards. The group has also appeared in carehome.co.uk's Top 20 small care home groups in successive years, most recently announced in May 2026. In a January 2025 podcast with Springup PR, he described how he supports home managers: flexible budgets, promotion from within, and owners who are visible in the homes. He still gives talks on the South Georgia action; one was for the Fleet Air Arm Friends on 31 July 2025.
About Doveleigh Care. Doveleigh Care Ltd owns and operates four care homes in East Devon, including Dove Court in Seaton and Doveridge in Colyton, and has featured in carehome.co.uk's Top 20 small care home groups for several years running. See its rank and history
CAREER
Newest first, each role linked to its source
JUL 1996 – NOW
Managing Director · Doveleigh Care Ltd NOW
1978 – JUL 1996
Royal Marines officer (captain from 1989) · Royal Marines
1992 – 1995
Exchange officer · Royal Netherlands Marine Corps
ARTICLES, INTERVIEWS AND APPEARANCES
6 items, opened and checked
May 2026
Doveleigh Care Ltd East Devon named one of top 20 in the UKSTATEMENTExmouth Journal
Quoted as director on Doveleigh's place in carehome.co.uk's Top 20 small care home groups and three homes in the South West top 20.
Jul 2025
Lt Keith Mills RM (retd), 'The Battle for South Georgia'SPEECHLocalReach Community Magazines (Fleet Air Arm Friends talk)
Event listing for his talk on the South Georgia action, with a live stream option.
Apr 2025
Doveleigh Care - Top 20 Small Care Home Group 2025STATEMENTDoveleigh Care
His message to staff on the group's carehome.co.uk Top 20 small care home group award.
Jan 2025
How I Support Care Home Managers To Achieve Outstanding CQC RatingsPODCASTCare CEO Success Stories (Springup PR)
Podcast interview on supporting care home managers to reach Outstanding CQC ratings and on lessons from his military career.
May 2022
More Tea: Keith Mills DSCPODCASTTea & Medals (BFBS)
BFBS re-run of his 13-minute interview on the 1982 South Georgia action and his welcome home, for the 40th anniversary of the Falklands conflict.
Mar 2022
Bravest of the brave served Queen and country with honourPROFILELord Ashcroft Salutes Bravery (first published in the Plymouth Herald)
Profile of two Devon Falklands veterans that covers the South Georgia action and his move into care homes.
