New manager welcomed at The Priory Retirement Village

Shirley Buckley’s CV is an eclectic mix of jobs, experience and skills – which made her perfect for her new role as Village Manager of The Priory Retirement Village.

Having started in law, Shirley moved to teaching before working with social services, managing a day care centre and then spending time in hotel management followed by health care. Along the way she picked up a host of skills which she is now utilising in her new position.

“This role brings together so many elements of my experience, it was always going to be the ideal challenge,” said Shirley. “I’m very hands on – if I see something which needs doing or someone who needs help, I’m there to put the wheels in motion or to offer assistance. That’s what this job is about.”

The Priory, near Abbotskerswell, in Devon is an established retirement village, acquired in June by Retirement Villages Ltd, the company which pioneered the concept of age exclusive communities in the UK. Shirley will be heading up the team of staff which manages the five acre village ensuring everything runs smoothly for the residents of the 43 cottages and apartments.

“I’m delighted to have come in at the beginning of RV’s ownership of The Priory,” said Shirley. “It’s the perfect opportunity to help shape the village and its future as it’s brought into the RV fold.

“The RV ethos of building communities and offering residents the very best of everything attracted me – but so did The Priory itself. I love historic buildings and The Priory is a beautiful example of how a building can be adapted to be as current now as it originally was.”

Shirley benefits from being familiar with the area having been brought up in Devon. She now lives near Ashburton.

Paul Walsh is the Managing Director for the Care and Operations division of Retirement Villages. He said: “We are delighted to have Shirley on board at The Priory. Her experience and skills are exactly what we need to help develop The Priory in line with our other villages. She is already getting to know the residents and staff and we’re sure she will prove an asset both to The Priory and to Retirement Villages.”

Retirement Villages Ltd has been developing and managing bespoke lifestyle and care villages for the over 55s for 30 years. The pioneers of the UK model, the company now has approaching 2,000 residents living in 13 locations spread across 10 counties in the south of the country. For more information visit the website: retirementvillages.co.uk