Sali Walker grew up in care, attended 26 schools and went on to found Apex Fostering, an independent fostering agency that recruits, trains and supports foster carers across London and the East of England. Tomorrow, Wednesday 28 October, the agency opens File Not Found, a national exhibition of art by care-experienced young people, at the OXO Tower Wharf Gallery on London’s South Bank, where it runs until Sunday 1 November.
Apex is also a finalist for the Purpose Beyond Profit Award at the Lloyds British Business Excellence Awards 2026, which will be presented in London on 10 November.
Walker tells Business Matters why stable homes, not placements, are the measure of success.
What do you currently do at Apex Fostering?
I am the founder and I work full time in the business as the Business Manager. I undertake recruitment and all the initial visits.
I do this for two reasons. First, as a care leaver, I think I have a good sense of people and whether they will make good carers. Second, it symbolises to people how important they are to me as the owner, and I can convey my passion for what we do.
I also provide the strategic overview, deciding priorities and gently directing the team, and ensuring our culture is reflected in everything we do.
What was the inspiration behind your business?
I lived in numerous foster homes and children’s homes as a child, and these were not positive experiences. I attended 26 schools and I have moved home 87 times in my life.
Young people who have been in care make up 24 to 31 per cent of prisoners and 33 per cent of the homeless population. I wanted to help reverse some of these statistics by providing long-term homes for children where they would thrive and be safe and cared for.
We are the only fostering agency of the 300 to 400 in the UK that is owned and run by a former care leaver. I used my life experience, my knowledge of business and my educational background, including an MBA, to bring together passion and systems.
What is File Not Found?
It is a national art competition and exhibition for care-experienced young people across the UK, in three age groups from 12 to 26. Young people in care are too often defined by files, statistics and case notes, and this is a chance for them to be seen and heard on their own terms.
Artists could ask for a mentor, and the work goes on show at the OXO Tower Wharf Gallery from 28 October to 1 November, with a competition night on 29 October.
Who do you admire?
People who, despite the odds being against them, find a way to do the right thing. People like Harriet Tubman, who risked her own life and safety to help others.
Looking back, is there anything you would have done differently?
I would not have set up two companies with business partners. When culture is so important and your business partners do not reflect and embrace it, the relationship will not work.
Now, as a sole operator with a committed team, Apex values happily permeate every area of our work.
What defines your way of doing business?
We orientate the business around providing loving homes where children thrive. This mission is underpinned by six points of culture: child centred, self-responsibility, integrity, team, respect and fun.
These were decided by foster carers and staff, and they have a direct influence on everything in the organisation. They govern every decision we make. We regularly seek feedback from foster carers, staff and young people on how our services can better meet their needs.
We have been shortlisted for the Purpose Beyond Profit Award at the Lloyds British Business Excellence Awards. We are a values-driven agency focused on stabilising homes, and to this end we provide a range of services which are not core funded but which we know help support fostering.
Our placement breakdown rate is 10 per cent; for some agencies it is 50 per cent. As well as the usual support, we give carers access to counselling, usually within 48 hours, and we provide experienced foster carers as peer mentors. We provide access to behavioural psychologists, and every holiday there is an agency-wide activity which carers and young people choose.
We also provide access to a financial adviser and a mortgage broker to help carers plan for their future financial stability. Satisfaction levels are incredible. We have five-star ratings on Trustpilot and Google, 100 per cent of our carers would recommend us to a friend and 90 per cent of our carers come to us through word-of-mouth recommendations.
What advice would you give to someone starting out?
Believe that you can do it. Try not to give too much time to your fears and doubts, and seek out help from mentors. People often want to help.
