'Influential' care leader gets knighthood in Queen's New Years Honours

An ‘influential’ care leader has gained a knighthood and is among those who have been recognised in the Queen’s New Years Honours 2021.

David Pearson the former chair of the government’s COVID-19 Social Care Support Taskforce has been awarded a knighthood in the New Year Honours list for his services to health and social care integration.

David Pearson was described in the list as a “highly respected and influential” leader. He is a past president of the Association Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS) in England and continues to act as an advisor to the government on social care and health reform.

Mr Pearson was the director of adult social care and health for 14 years with Nottinghamshire County Council before retiring in 2019. Last June, he was appointed chair of the government’s COVID-19 Social Care Support Taskforce.

David Pearson said: “Thank you for all the kind comments. I have been so fortunate to have worked with great teams, services and leaders in care and health who are trying to make sure that social care is that crucial springboard for health and economic well-being that many of us need and rely on”.

Colin Angel (@colintwangel), policy director and spokesman at United Kingdom Homecare Association (UKHCA) tweeted: “Congratulations to @25DavidPearson on his knighthood announced in the NY Honours. He has a long history of public service providing an essential voice for #Socialcare within government and he’s a pleasure to work with.”

UKHCA members Claudia Sykes, the chief executive of All Seasons, received an OBE while Stephen Trowbridge, the managing director of First City Nursing & Care, received an MBE on the New Years Honours list for their contributions to social care.

The Queen’s New Years Honours list recognises the achievements of people across the UK including people working in the social care sector during the coronavirus pandemic. Of the 1,239 people who receive an award 1,123 candidates have been selected at BEM, MBE and OBE level.

Others making the Honours list include Laura Alcock-Ferguson, the founding director of the Campaign to End Loneliness who received an OBE for services to people experiencing loneliness in later life.

Honour is for those helping 'anyone experiencing loneliness' this last year

Laura Alcock-Ferguson, MBE said: “I’m delighted to receive this honour. I dedicate it to all of you who have helped anyone experiencing loneliness, particularly this last year, and to everyone working on alleviating or raising awareness of loneliness in any way. You inspired me in my own work, thank you.”

Dr Nicholas Coni is the co-founder of University of the Third Age (U3A) and has been awarded an OBE for services to education for older people.

U3A is a nationwide network of learning groups aimed at encouraging older people to share their knowledge, skills and interests in a friendly environment.

The U3A is for people in their ‘third age’ - retired or semi-retired. There are no exams and no homework, just regular lessons or study groups. It's learning for fun, not with the aim of gaining qualifications.

John Hambly, the founder of Samson Centre for Multiple Sclerosis, received an OBE for services to people with disabilities in Surrey and the Home Counties.

The Samson Centre for MS provides practical and emotional support for people living with multiple sclerosis (MS). Based in Guildford, it offers a wide range of support for people with MS in Surrey and the surrounding areas including physiotherapy, exercise and gym classes and oxygen therapy.

CareTech Foundation chief executive Jonathan Freeman has been recognised with an MBE for services to charity.

CareTech foundation supports care workers, those receiving care and the care sector as a whole. The foundation has committed over £2.5m in grants to drive change in the care sector.

Mr Freeman said: “Working in charities is a rare privilege and to receive this honour as well is very special. I am very proud of the work each of the charities I am fortunate enough to be involved with has done.”

Gabriella Pimentel, a musculoskeletal clinical specialist at Warrior Sports Rehabilitation, gained an MBE for services to the elderly during Covid-19.

Professor Betts, the director of adult Social Care at Birmingham City Council, gained an OBE for services to adult social care.

Anna Dixon, the chief executive of Centre for Ageing Better, received an MBE for services to wellbeing in later life. The Centre for Ageing Better is a charity working to create a society where everyone enjoys later life.

She led Ageing Better’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, providing advice and evidence to government and others.

Dr Anna Dixon said: “I am delighted and incredibly proud to receive this award. The UK’s population is undergoing a massive age shift, which has implications for every aspect of our lives and requires us all to think and act differently.

"This has been my driving passion for many years now and is an issue made more urgent by COVID-19, which looks set to increase the gap between those who can expect to enjoy later life and those who will struggle through it.”