Care professionals recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours List include Carers UK’s director of policy, the co-chair of the National Care Association, the chief executive of provider WCS Care and HC-One’s quality projects lead.

Emily Holzhausen, director of policy and public affairs at Carers UK, has been named Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for services to unpaid carers. Holzhausen, who has worked at the charity since 1996, has over 30 years’ experience of issues relating to carers. She has helped to secure vital new legislation, policy, and practice to improve the lives of carers.

Helen Walker, chief executive of Carers UK, said: “It’s perfect timing as we come to the end of Carers Week 2024 that we’re able to celebrate Emily, whose efforts in raising awareness and campaigning tirelessly for carers have had such powerful results – in fact she has been the lead on Carers Week for many years.”

Ian Turner, co-chair of the National Care Association, and Ed Russell, chief executive of provider WCS Care, were both appointed Officer of the British Empire (OBE). Nadra Ahmed, co-chair of the National Care Association, said the organisation was delighted that Turner’s exceptional services to the wider social care sector had been recognised.

“Ian has been a care provider for over four decades,” she said. “His role on the National Stage has included being seconded into the Department of Health in the formation of the Care Act, as well as serving on numerous advisory groups and task forces in the Department of Health and Social Care and the NHS. He has also been instrumental in supporting the digital agenda in social care. He has achieved all this whilst running his own family centred nursing homes.”

Russell, who was appointed OBE for his services to care home residents, started as a carer at WCS Care in 1992, becoming chief executive in 2020. “I still remember my first day working as a carer, and now being able to challenge the UK and wider care sector is a privilege, looking differently at how we do things,” he said. “ Innovations like circadian rhythm lighting and acoustic night-time monitoring are but two of a long list of sustainable improvements which will make care homes of the future better for us all.”

Liz Whyte, quality projects lead at care provider HC-One, was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in recognition of her outstanding commitment to social care.  A registered nurse with more than  30 years’ experience in the care sector, Whyte played a pivotal role in HC-One’s response to Covid, as the organisation’s Covid Lead.

James Tugendhat, chief executive officer at HC-One, said “Liz epitomises what we stand for at HC-One through her unwavering careand commitment to residents, their families and our colleagues. Liz delayed her retirement and took on the role as HC-One’s COVID-19 Lead, navigating an unprecedented situation, and showing dedication even in the most difficult of times.  

Two members of staff at the Royal Hospital Chelsea were recognised in the list. Gary Lashko, former chief executive, was appointed OBE while residential care manager Bobbette Blake was awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM).