The Orders of St John Care Trust (OSJCT) chief executive Dan Hayes has been awarded an OBE in the Queen’s 2022 New Year’s Honours for his services to the social care sector.
Hayes joined OSJCT 19 years ago as human resources manager and progressed within the organisation through to his appointment as chief executive in 2015.
OSJCT is one of the largest not-for-profit providers of social care in England and has been named one of the top 20 recommended care home groups on leading independent consumer website Carehome.co.uk since 2016.
Hayes said: “I am absolutely delighted to receive this recognition, but also clear that the award would not have been made if I hadn’t been fortunate enough to spend my social care career with OSJCT.
“It’s my great good fortune to represent literally thousands of OSJCT colleagues who deserve similar recognition for what they continue to do, and who have carried me to the honour,” he added.
In the truest sense, this OBE is for them, and it is in recognition of the lives they make better through their love and professionalism every day.”
Hayes strongly believes the social care workforce should be adequately recognised and renumerated, and has been pivotal in lobbying key stakeholders, including government, for reforms.
Hayes is also a board director of the National Care Forum which promotes quality care and advocates with government departments and the media on behalf of the sector.
Mark Everall, chair of trustees at OSJCT, said: “This OBE is well-deserved, and the Trust could not be more proud of Dan. He has skilfully guided the organisation through this pandemic and has been a passionate advocate of the sector for many years.
“His leadership epitomises the compassion, resilience, and commitment of all those across the Trust working so hard to provide loving care for those we look after.”
