Parklands Care Homes managing director Ron Taylor has been honoured at this year’s Scottish Care awards.

Taylor won the Strategic Contribution Award in recognition of his 30 years in social care during which he has grown Parklands from a single care home in Buckie in 1993 to a group of 11 care homes employing over 750 people and providing care for 400 older people across Moray and the Highlands.

The care leader has been a vocal critic of the Scottish government over its failure to adequately fund social care in Scotland and delivered a £12 per hour rate for frontline carers in April this year, a full year before it is due to be introduced nationally.

In accepting his award, Taylor paid tribute to his staff, commenting: “Day in, day out they provide the high-quality care that our older residents deserve, often in difficult and stressful circumstances. They don’t always get the recognition they deserve and I want to dedicate this award to each and every one of them. We are very lucky to have so many dedicated, hardworking men and women working in social care.”

Donald Macaskill, chief executive of Scottish Care, said: “The care home workforce is full of individuals who behave with dignity, compassion, professionalism, and skill. Scottish Care host the awards to express our gratitude and to recognise the particular skills of a few.

“We are immensely proud to present Ron Taylor, managing director of Parklands Care Homes, with our Strategic Contribution Award. Ron’s 30-year dedication to social care and Parklands’ growth into 11 facilities is commendable. His advocacy for fair wages and Parklands’ innovative initiatives reflects his commitment. A truly well-deserved win in our eyes.”