Mario Kreft MBE, the owner of Pendine Park care organisation in North Wales, has received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Leaders in Care Awards.
The awards, organised by Care Home Professional Magazine, were held in Birmingham. The award recognises more than four decades of work in social care, including championing independent care providers, raising standards and seeking greater recognition for the thousands of people working on the frontline.
It comes as Mr Kreft steps back from his leadership roles at Care Forum Wales and the Wales Care Awards, the two organisations he helped establish.
He has pledged to focus in future on championing the workforce and supporting smaller, independent and other community-based care providers, particularly in North Wales, and has vowed to keep campaigning for fair funding for vulnerable people.
Mr Kreft said: “I want to use my experience to continue championing the sector and the fantastic people who make such a difference to the lives of vulnerable people every single day.
“One of my priorities will be supporting independent, smaller and community-based care providers, who are absolutely vital to the fabric of our communities, particularly here in North Wales.
“They face significant challenges, and it’s essential that their voices are heard and that they have the support they need to deliver sustainable, high-quality care for the future.
“I also want to continue campaigning for fair funding for vulnerable people, because access to excellent care should never be determined by the resources available.
“We need a system that properly recognises the true cost of care, values the contribution of providers and gives people the dignity, choice and quality of life they deserve.”
Stephen Hall, editor of Care Home Professional, said: “Mario richly deserves this Lifetime Achievement Award because, over four decades, he has been one of the most influential and tireless champions of social care in Wales and across the UK.
“Through his pioneering work at Pendine Park, the founding of Care Forum Wales and the Wales Care Awards, he has helped raise standards, strengthen the voice of independent care providers and, above all, champion the remarkable people who deliver care every day.
“His leadership during the Covid pandemic demonstrated just how important it is to have someone with the knowledge, determination and compassion to speak up for residents, families and frontline staff at the highest levels of government.”
Kevin Edwards, managing director of Meddyg Care, which has care homes in Porthmadog, Criccieth and Rhyl and runs a domiciliary service, Help at Home, in Gwynedd, said: “The award given to Mario is an entirely deserved honour to someone who has been and continues to be a true champion for the social care sector.
“The award recognises the leadership he has offered and the support he has given to our sector in North Wales.”
