MID-SIZE LARGE GROUP/13 HOMES
Martin Barrett
Managing Director, Nellsar Care Homes
Martin Barrett is Managing Director of Nellsar Care Homes, a family-run group of 13 care homes in Kent, Surrey and Essex.
BIOGRAPHY
Martin Barrett is Managing Director of Nellsar Care Homes, a family-run group that owns and manages 13 care homes across Kent, Surrey and Essex. Nellsar's own history page says its founder, Mr Ragumoorthy, remains chief executive and that Barrett leads day-to-day operations. The Surrey Care Association describes him as an owner and managing director of the company, which specialises in dementia care.
LinkedIn dates his role as managing director of Nellsar Ltd and Totem Care Ltd to September 2006. Totem Care is a smaller business he also owns, focused on learning disability services and on epilepsy and learning difficulties in older people. The Surrey Care Association says his earlier background was in recruitment and management consultancy.
Barrett has served on the board of the Surrey Care Association since at least 2022 and is listed on its site as treasurer. He comments publicly on recruitment and funding. In a March 2022 Care Home Professional piece he argued that social care was a good career choice, and cited new roles at Nellsar such as Recreation and Well-Being Champion and Resident Liaison Officer. In July 2026 he responded to the Prime Minister's speech on social care. He told The Carer that any National Care Service must recognise that social care is not an extension of the NHS.
In August 2026 Nellsar said Woodstock Care Home in Sittingbourne had added nursing care and that The Old Downs Care Home in Dartford would operate as a nursing home from 1 October 2026. Barrett told Care Home Professional the change was both preparation for rising demand and an investment in the group's nurses.
Outside care he co-founded the mixed martial arts academy Great Britain Top Team in 2019 with the former UFC fighter Brad Pickett. LinkedIn lists him as a founding partner.
About Nellsar Care Homes. Nellsar was founded in 1988 and is a family-run group that, according to Care Home Professional in August 2026, operates 13 care homes across Kent, Surrey and Essex. See its rank and history
CAREER
Newest first, each role linked to its source
SEP 2006 – NOW
Managing Director · Nellsar Care Homes (Nellsar Ltd and Totem Care Ltd) NOW
2022 – NOW
Board member (listed as Treasurer) · Surrey Care Association NOW
MAY 2019 – NOW
Founding Partner · Great Britain Top Team NOW
ARTICLES, INTERVIEWS AND APPEARANCES
6 items, opened and checked
Aug 2026
Care group expands nursing provision in KentSTATEMENTCare Home Professional
He explains why Nellsar is adding nursing care at Woodstock and The Old Downs.
Aug 2026
Social care commentsSTATEMENTPicPR
The PR agency's round-up says his view that care staff must help shape any National Care Service secured trade and broadcast coverage.
Jul 2026
Sector Gives Cautious Welcome to Prime Ministers Speech on Social CareSTATEMENTThe Carer
He responds to the Prime Minister's speech and sets out what a National Care Service should recognise.
Apr 2023
Tributes paid as long-serving care home manager retiresSTATEMENTCaring Times
He pays tribute to a retiring Nellsar home manager.
Mar 2022
Nellsar on why 2022 is the year to start a career in social careARTICLECare Home Professional
He sets out the case for a career in social care and describes new roles at Nellsar.
Nov 2021
Former UFC star & Great Britain Top Team head coach Brad ‘One Punch’ Pickett to launch MMA centre of excellenceSTATEMENTUK Fight Site
He is quoted as co-founder of Great Britain Top Team on plans for the GBTT Academy.
COUNTED FOR THE RANKING
2 articles in the twelve months to 6 October 2026 (2 trade).
Aug 2026
Sector Gives Cautious Welcome to Prime Ministers Speech on ...QUOTES THEMthecareruk.com
Aug 2026
Kent care group expands nursing provisionABOUT THEMCaring Times
