
Nurse-led, values-driven
Cavalry Healthcare is a nurse-led, family-owned care provider. Our CEO, Rory McDonnell, is a registered nurse with a background in palliative care and service improvement – and a deep personal connection to the values we live by every day.
Rory grew up surrounded by care: his mum is a wheelchair user, supported by his dad, whose unwavering commitment allowed her to thrive in her career. Their partnership inspired Rory’s belief that great care can unlock potential and transform lives. Both of Rory’s parents are now Directors of Cavalry, continuing to bring lived experience, compassion, and purpose to the heart of the organisation.
Rory founded Cavalry to create a new kind of care – one that’s driven by values, led by clinical expertise, and always centred on each of the individuals we care for.
Strong leadership, shared vision
In 2023, we were proud to welcome Kate Durband as our Managing Director. Kate brings with her a wealth of experience from across the care sector and leads our growing team with confidence, passion, and an unwavering focus on the individuals we support.
Her leadership continues to shape Cavalry’s mission – to raise standards, grow responsibly, and deliver care that always puts people first.


The Cavalry story, so far...
Cavalry Healthcare began in 2018 as a nursing agency, supplying high-quality temporary staff to nursing homes, care homes, and hospices. But it quickly became clear that we could do more – not just provide staff, but deliver care directly in a way that reflects our values, care standards, and a belief in better.
In 2020, we launched our Complex Care service from our Liverpool branch. Designed to support people with specialist medical needs, autism, learning disabilities, mental health needs, and/or complex behaviours, the service quickly grew, built on our ability to deliver highly personalised, care support at home.
By 2022, we had expanded again, launching our Supported Living Services, focused on empowering individuals to live with greater independence in their own homes and communities.
In 2024, we introduced our Stabilise & Transform service – developed in response to increasing demand from NHS and local authority partners. This intensive service helps individuals with complex needs move safely out of hospital or secure settings and into community-based care, by reducing restrictive practices and building a stable, person-led pathway to independence.
Today, Cavalry Healthcare has multiple branches across the North, Midlands, and South-West, with plans to expand nationally. No matter how far we grow, our commitment stays the same: to provide expert, values-led care that puts people first – and helps to change care for the better.
Our values. T-R-U-E.
Trust
We do what we say we will do, and always act with integrity.
Respect
We respect the wishes and aspirations of every individual.
Understanding
We are always understanding, kind and compassionate.
Expertise
Our care is underpinned by clinical expertise and best practice.
“For me, great care is about listening, understanding, and always doing what’s right for the individual, to help them reach their goals, no matter how big or small. At Cavalry, we don’t settle for the way things have always been done – we’re here to lead with heart, raise the bar in the sector and make care better for everyone.”
Kate Durband, Managing Director, Cavalry Healthcare

Nurse led, family owned...
Rory created Cavalry to bring values-driven, empowering care – backed by rigorous clinical expertise – to those who need it most.
How Cavalry cares...
Cavalry Healthcare is a vocationally driven nursing agency and recruiting staff who give top quality care is our utmost priority. We pride ourselves on our ethics and values and donate a percentage of our profits to UK hospices each year.

Our values. T-R-U-E.
Trust
We do what we say we will do, and always act with integrity.
Understanding
We are always understanding, kind and compassionate.
Respect
We respect the wishes and aspirations of every individual.
Expertise
Our care and support is underpinned by clinical expertise and best practice.

Our values. T-R-U-E.
Trust
We do what we say we will do, and always act with integrity.
Respect
We respect the wishes and aspirations of every individual.
Understanding
We are always understanding, kind and compassionate.
Expertise
Our care and support is underpinned by clinical expertise and best practice.
