Sector leaders from organisations including the National Care Association and the  Care Workers Charity have been recognised in King Charles III’s first New Year Honours list.

Nadra Ahmed, chair of the National Care Association (NCA) since 2001, was awarded Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for services to social care. Ahmed, who received the Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2006, has been involved in the field of social care for over 40 years. She is currently the chair of the Care Provider Alliance.

The National Care Association said: “NCA has become a well-respected organisation within the care industry, government, regulators, and local authorities through Nadra’s listening to social care providers and representing their efforts to look after some of the most vulnerable people in society through these challenging times.”

Martyn Davies, owner and manager of Urmston Manor care home in Manchester, was the only care home manager to be recognised on the list. He was awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to care home residents in Manchester. Davies, who moved to Manchester at age 16 with no qualifications to begin his nursing career, turned Urmston Manor around from inadequate to outstanding in 12 months.

“I think Martyn was recognised because he goes out of his way to ensure residents are having their best quality of life,” said deputy manager Kirsty Lewis Holmes. “He always engages with their families and friends. He is also very supportive of his staff and pushes us to continue our learning.”

In the home care sector, Dr Jane Townson, chief executive of the Homecare Association, was awarded OBE for services to domiciliary care, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Homecare Association chair Martin Jones, chief executive of Home Instead and chair of The Care Workers’ Charity, received an MBE.

Dr Townson said the award was “humbling”. “May the spotlight shine on all homecare workers, managers, and leaders, who dedicate themselves to improving the lives of others with the utmost compassion and commitment,” she said.

In the wider sector, Chris Wilkins and Tony Jameson-Allen, co-founders of Sporting Memories , were awarded MBEs for services to people living with dementia and loneliness. Sporting Memories runs community clubs that bring older people together to reminisce, and produces resources for care homes to run their own sessions.

Meanwhile Laura Harling, artistic director and founder of The Dot Collective, received a BEM for services to professional theatre in care homes and supporting people with dementia. Harling formed The Dot Collective in 2015, named after her grandmother Dorothy who went into residential care. She has produced 12 productions for care communities, including an aerial circus adaption of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.

Commenting on the honours list, Health and Social Care Secretary Steve Barclay said: “Throughout the pandemic and beyond health and care staff have risen to the incredible challenges they have faced and continued to deliver for patients, with kindness and compassion. Congratulations to all those being honoured, including nurses, GPs, pharmacists, volunteers and care home managers – thank you for your hard work and dedication.”