The Outstanding Society

Zoe started working in nursing homes at the age of 13 and this is where her love for the older generation began. This led her to train to become a nurse and start her career in the NHS where she quickly worked her way to being a surgical ward sister, matron for general medicine and then general manager.

In 2008 she purchased a small nursing home and transformed it, celebrating Outstanding ratings from the CQC in 2014 and then again in 2017.

Zoe shares and celebrates best practices across social care while helping others improve and this year Zoe was recognised for Services in Social Care and Services to Nursing by being awarded an OBE in the Kings Birthday Honours List.

Lara is the registered manager of LDC Care an Outstanding rated service in Kent. Lara contributes to multiple boards and sector programmes, as well as leading her local registered manager network.

James has worked in social care since 2005 and is committed to improving the lifestyle and well-being of residents living with dementia.

James founded Vida Healthcare in 2010 with the sole aim of designing and operating care homes for people living with dementia. Since then, Vida have developed three buildings which incorporate 20 separate “houses” offering a range of care options in order to care for residents throughout their journey.

The Vida Academy was set up to offer specialist training programmes and continual mentorship in order to secure career pathways for staff and to ensure resident’s needs are met at all times. As of 2024, all Vida’s homes have been rated Outstanding by the CQC.

Samantha has more than 20 years experience in the care home sector. Having held senior positions in the sector’s larger providers such as Barchester Healthcare, Anchor Trust, Sanctuary Group and Excelcare, Samantha is now CEO at Bracebridge Care Group opening new build homes with a difference, across the UK.

Samantha has been nominated for the Leaders in Care Award, the WAGs (Women Achieving Greatness in social care awards) where she was awarded highly commended. Samantha was nominated and awarded the Chief Nurse Social Care Award in December 2022 which is awarded to people who go above and beyond in their roles within social care. Samantha also found herself listed in the Power List 2022.

Driven by passion & motivated by results, her focus is on leading and leadership in the care sector.

Over the last eight years, Sanjay's journey in social care has been a complete roller coaster. Leaving a career in hospitality and events in 2015, he took over a once great care home, which was faced with two embargoes, two warning notices and an inadequate rating.

The Close Care Home now sits with a full Outstanding rating and counts titles like Care Home of Year, Best Individual Care Home and Small Care provider of the Year in its many accolades.

Sanjay is a passionate advocate of sharing knowledge and best practice and is highly committed to increasing and improving diversity, equity and inclusion practices in the social care space.

Ruth spent 10 years working for Central Government until she became Operations Director at Stow Healthcare, a family run group of award-winning care homes. Ruth has overseen the expansion of the company which is renowned for its ability to acquire and turn around failed services. Her background in policy making and people management have supported the phenomenal growth of the company.

Ruth leads work on compliance and was awarded the prestigious title of Rising Star in the 2021 Laing Buisson awards. She also led Stow Healthcare to achieve the title of Care Provider of the Year in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 across various national awards.

Caroline is the Managing Director of Clifton Homecare Limited, a CQC rated Outstanding domiciliary care company based in Lytham St Annes.

Caroline has worked in the social care sector since the age of 11. Her family owned a residential home so she carried out most roles within the home while attending school, college and university! She then joined the North West Ambulance Service to train as a paramedic which she has been doing for nearly 20 years, so she has a good understanding of pre-hospital and emergency/urgent care challenges.

Caroline spends a lot of time supporting the future of the social care sector by engaging with students and local education providers and is passionate about the learning and development of her team of care professionals.