David Sheard PGDip, BA Hons

Global pioneer and dementia care change management specialist, Dr. David Sheard has changed the future of dementia care through his radical and innovative dementia care ‘Butterfly Model’. Founder of international award-winning Dementia Care Matters, David has grown the organization over two decades to be a world leader in culture change in dementia care across multiple care settings in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, Australia, and the USA. As a globally respected author, filmmaker, TV Consultant, and challenging and motivational speaker, David’s aim is to shape culture change in dementia care and to emphasize the primary competency is in a model of emotional intelligence where ‘Feelings Matter Most. David’s beliefs, values, boundless energy, and passion have driven changes that too many were only a dream. His herculean effort has revolutionized the culture of care nationally and internationally. As a qualified social worker, University Lecturer and former General Manager, Old Age Psychiatry in a UK NHS Trust, David has an appointment as a Visiting Senior Fellow in the School of Health and Social Care, University of Surrey, UK, and holds the Honorary Degree award of Doctor of the University (D Univ). David’s purpose is to demonstrate that quality dementia care is all about emotional care and that this is no different from what we all need in life – believing that “All we have is now.” In 2018, DCM launched “All Care Matters”, transforming the DCM Butterfly Model into all care homes, and not just dementia care - this is the next stage of DCM’s disruptive innovation.