Anchor chief executive Jane Ashcroft receives CBE for services to older people

Jane Ashcroft has been recognised in the New Year’s honours list by being made Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for her services to older people.

In 2010 Ms Ashcroft became the chief executive for Anchor, the largest not for profit provider of care and housing for older people and has gone on to receive the ‘Outstanding Contribution to Social Care’ award at the Great British Care Awards.

Ms Ashcroft said: “It is an enormous honour to be recognised in this way. I am very proud to lead an organisation in which so many people work tirelessly to enable older people to live fulfilling and happy lives with us. ”

Since joining Anchor, Ms Ashcroft has been responsible for leading Anchor’s Grey Pride campaign, which saw a petition with 137,000 signatures go to No 10 Downing Street as part of the campaign for a Minister for Older People.

Denis Warrilow, who accompanied Ms Ashcroft at the handing over of the Grey Pride petition and is a resident in an Anchor care home, said: “Jane regularly comes to visit the home and takes time to chat with us and make sure we have everything we need. She is an incredible lady who dedicates her energy to older people and I couldn’t think of a better person to receive such an honour.”

Ms Ashcroft is the chair for the English Community Care Association (ECCA), which has recently merged with the National Care Association to form Care England, a registered charity which is the representative for independent care services across England.

The Care England website went live on 1 Jan 2014 and supports a wide range of members from single care homes to large national providers in the care sector.