Oonagh Smyth CBE is Chief Executive Officer of Skills for Care, the strategic workforce planning and development body for adult social care in England. Since joining in 2020, she has led sector‑wide work to strengthen workforce capacity, capability, and sustainability, including leading the development of the first comprehensive Adult Social Care Workforce Strategy for England.
Oonagh holds an undergraduate degree in law, a Master’s degree in Human Rights Law from Queen’s University Belfast and Masters degree in Executive Coaching from Ashridge Business School. She brings extensive experience in strategy, governance, and equality across adult social care, including eight years at Mencap as Executive Director of Strategy and Influence, and a period acting as Chief Executive.
She works closely with national and local partners on system‑wide workforce reform and sits on several advisory groups, including Think Local Act Personal and Coventry University’s Vice‑Chancellor’s Health Advisory Board. Oonagh is a Non‑Executive Director at CU Health and Care Limited, a former Co‑Chair of the Care and Support Alliance, and an accredited executive coach.