A woman who has devoted her career to improving the lives of those in care has been recognised with an OBE for services to adult social care. 

Anna Selby, executive director of quality at HC-One, received the award for her services to adult social care, recognising more than 30 years of work in mental health and social care.

Throughout her career, Ms Selby has achieved a series of high-profile milestones, including delivering the first 'Outstanding' Care Quality Commission (CQC) rating for a domiciliary retirement service within two years and supporting the transformation of NHS community services in Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes.

She has also introduced dementia care innovations that have influenced commissioning agendas.

Ms Selby said: "I am incredibly proud to be receiving this honour and it is wonderful to be named amongst incredible individuals who have made such a meaningful impact.

"This OBE is really recognition of the hard work and dedication of all our colleagues across our homes.

"Their determination to provide the highest quality of kind care is inspiring and is the driving force behind how we support those in our care to lead their best lives."

Her leadership was particularly significant during the Covid-19 pandemic, when she led HC-One’s Covid-19 Task Force.

She guided 46 residential homes through the crisis, working closely with Government, local authorities, and the NHS.

Thanks to her leadership, 45 of the 46 homes achieved 'Good' or 'Outstanding' CQC ratings, and the task force was honoured with a Knight Frank Award.

More recently, at HC-One, Ms Selby developed a philosophy of care centred on kindness and quality, shaped by hundreds of conversations with residents, families, and colleagues.

This approach helped to enhance care across the organisation.

Under her direction, the proportion of HC-One homes rated 'Good' or 'Outstanding' by the CQC rose from 78 per cent to 89 per cent.

Resident satisfaction also increased, with 95 per cent of homes receiving a rating of 9/10 or higher by the end of 2024, up from around 80 per cent before her appointment.

David Smith, chief executive officer of HC-One, said: "We are incredibly proud of Anna.

"Kindness sits at the heart of her approach, and her impact at HC-One and on the wider adult social care sector is both profound and far-reaching.

"Anna’s leadership shines through in the way she empowers others to do the incredible work they do, and the way she celebrates their achievements.

"We are so pleased that her own outstanding contribution has been recognised through her OBE – congratulations Anna."