About Us

Zoë’s love for the older generation started in her teens when she worked in nursing homes as a care assistant. This led her to train to become a nurse and start her career initially in the NHS. She had several clinical roles, working her way up to become a ward sister and then a Matron in Medicine while working on her Nursing Degree. Zoë then became a General Manager in the NHS, where she gained many business management skills. In 2008, Zoë completed the purchase of Valerie Manor, a small residential home registered for 15 residents. She soon extended and managed the project, extending the home to 23 beds and becoming dual-registered to provide much-needed nursing care.

In 2015, Zoë was delighted that Valerie Manor became the first home in West Sussex to receive an Outstanding rating from the CQC and then again in 2017, receiving an Outstanding rating in 4 out of 5 of the KLOE’s including ‘safe’.

While owning Valerie Manor the team won several awards including the National Care team of the year, Independent Individual Care Home, Care Home Innovation and Best Nursing Care.

In 2021 Zoë made the difficult decision to sell Valerie Manor and focus on the Outstanding Society and be a positive voice for the Social Care profession.

In 2023 Zoe was recognised for Services in Social Care and Services to Nursing by being awarded an OBE in the Kings Birthday Honours List. Zoe feels privileged to work in Social Care.

James has worked in Social Care since 2005 and is committed to improving the lifestyle and well-being of residents living with Dementia.

Vida Healthcare was established in 2010 and specialise in designing, developing, and operating bespoke care homes. Over the years Vida have created 300 beds and offer care for residents at every stage of their journey with Dementia.

Each of the three homes have now achieved “Outstanding” ratings and continue to challenge every aspect of their service in order to ensure residents receive the very best of care.

In 2023, Vida opened their Vida Academy building, which offers continuous training and mentoring to all Vida staff. James is particularly focused on career development and offers clear pathways for everyone wishing to progress within social care.

Samantha is the CEO of the new and innovative EQ Care Group, which has built and opened 5 new care homes over the past 2 years. This care group is built on Emotional Intelligence through the veins of all that we are and all that we do.

An organisation dedicated to providing exceptional heart-centred care across newly established care homes. The homes are designed to support diverse individual needs, including people living with complex dementia.

Samantha leads the team with passion and heart and sees her role as a CEO who ensures that the people, looking after the people, are well and are listened to. Leading from a place of vulnerability with strength enables the teams she leads to do the same; being real is the cornerstone.

A non-executive Director of The Outstanding Society and a Master Practitioner in NLP. Samantha was awarded the Chief Nurse Social Care Award for people who go above & beyond in their roles;

Samantha is truly dedicated to the social care sector. In addition to this, Samantha was awarded the Social Care Leadership award in 2023 and Businesswoman of the Year award in the Leading Women in Care Awards as well as the Leaders in Care Exec of the Year awards, in 2024 as well as being named in the Social Care Top 30 for 2024 and Health Investor Power List 2024.

Sanjay Dhrona is a passionate advocate for excellence in social care, dedicated to fostering innovation, collaboration, and best practices within the sector. Having previously owned and managed The Close Care Home, he has firsthand experience in delivering high-quality, person-centered care.

As a Non-Executive Director of The Outstanding Society, Sanjay works to support care providers in achieving excellence, sharing knowledge, and driving positive change across the industry. He also holds an advisory role with Caring Times, contributing his insights to shape conversations on key issues affecting social care.

Sanjay is a committed champion of diversity and inclusion, advocating for minority residents, care professionals, and small independent operators. His work extends to multiple industry initiatives, including his roles as an ambassador for Championing Social Care and Adopt a Grandparent. Through these initiatives, he strives to raise awareness, enhance sector-wide engagement, and combat loneliness among older adults by fostering intergenerational connections.

With his extensive experience and passion for outstanding care, Sanjay continues to influence and support the sector, ensuring that high standards and innovative solutions remain at the forefront of social care.

Ruth was a director of award winning Stow Healthcare from 2010-2025, building the company from a single home to eight homes across three counties before selling to new owners. Ruth was awarded the prestigious titles of Rising Star in the 2021 Laing Buisson awards and Care Leadership of the Year in the 2023 National Care Awards. She also led Stow Healthcare to achieve the title of Care Provider of the Year over multiple years at various national awards.

Ruth was honoured to be awarded the Chief Nurse for Adult Social Care - Gold award, Recognising her  outstanding achievements and performance.

As a passionate advocate of innovation, Ruth has worked closely with Care England since 2023 on the award-winning Decaf project, which supported a 35% reduction in falls in her homes.

Ruth specialises in change management and turning around failed care service; prior to her career in social care worked as a civil servant in Whitehall, and Ruth retains a keen interest in social care policy.

Caroline Cosh has been involved in the social care sector since the age of 11. Caroline’s family owned a residential home which she worked at whilst attending school, college and university. During that time Caroline carried out every role within the Residential home, later being approved by CQC to become Registered Manager.

In 2004 Caroline joined North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) as an Emergency Medical Technician, becoming a Paramedic in 2007. Caroline and her mother set up a Domiciliary Care company; Clifton Homecare Limited in 2013 after selling the Residential home. Caroline is Managing Director for the business which is located in Lancashire, whilst continuing to work as a Paramedic for NWAS. Caroline takes responsibility for regulatory compliance, quality assurance, policy and procedure, Human Resources and staff training and development at Clifton Homecare.

Caroline feels proud not only to support clients living on the Fylde Coast but also to work alongside a team of truly dedicated, caring, compassionate and professional staff.

Caroline utilises her knowledge and experience to upskill her staff team, enabling the company to meet the ever-changing needs of the community and this has been reflected in 2 CQC inspections where the company was rated Outstanding. To date Clifton Homecare has won many awards including The BIBAs New Business of the Year Award (2016), The BIBAs Employer of the Year award (2023), Fylde Business Awards; Active Workplace of the Year (2023), The Department for Health and Social care’s team award, recognition for outstanding contributions that teams have on the lives of people they care for.

Caroline works closely with The Lancashire and South Cumbria ICB representing social care in strategic regional meetings such as Apprenticeships and T level delivery and support. She has also developed strong ties locally with prominent care leaders including her Constituency MP helping ensure the voice of the care sector is heard.

Caroline has completed a BSC in Equine Science and Business Management, a Post Graduate Diploma in Equine Health and Welfare, Level 5 in Health and Social Care Leadership, a Diploma in Paramedic Science and various Charted Management Institute Coaching and Mentoring and Leadership qualifications.

Lara Bywater has led LDC Care Co to become one of the leading specialist providers of care and support services to some of the most complex individuals within the sector today. Throughout this journey, Lara has ensured that the original family values upon which the company was built remain the true foundations of the organisation as it looks today.

To support this, Lara has placed herself at the centre of conversations which support the development of the care sector and those it supports and employs, and has represented its interests at a national level to ensure its voice and vital messages are heard.

Alan Fry is the Head of Operations at The Outstanding Society, where he plays a key role in driving strategic growth, operational delivery, and sector engagement. Beginning his career in Financial Services, Alan made a successful transition into Adult Social Care as Office Manager of a dual-registered, family-owned care home in West Sussex—the first in the county to be rated Outstanding by the CQC.

During his time in the care home, Alan began supporting The Outstanding Society, bringing his strong organisational and IT skills to the role of Executive Administrator. As the Society expanded its reach and impact across the sector, Alan’s dedication and operational insight led to his promotion to Head of Operations.

He continues to play a pivotal role in shaping the Society’s activities and supporting its mission to celebrate and share excellence in social care.