After a tough few years, brighterkind proved its turnaround had successfully concluded by scooping the award for ‘Residential care provider of the year’ at the HealthInvestor Awards 2017.

The high-end elderly care operator, which is part of the financially troubled Four Seasons Health Care Group, was praised by judges for its decision to “conscientiously value and empower its people” as part of its turnaround strategy.

Other organisations recognised at the award ceremony, hosted by comedian Rory Bremner on 1 June, included Nuffield Health, which won ‘Private hospital group of the year’, Santander, which carried off the prize for ‘Bank or lender of the year’ and LNT Care Developments, which won the ‘Property developer of the year’ category.

Meanwhile, Orchard Care Homes chair Robbie Burns was recognised, in front of the packed room of over 1,200 people, for over 20 years’ of work in the care sector with the ‘Outstanding contribution by an individual’ award.

The ceremony took place at Grosvenor House Hotel and was attended by the leading figures in the independent health and social care sector.

The judging panel included Hedley Goldberg, managing director and head of healthcare services at Rothschild, Pam Garside, owner of management consultancy Newhealth, Sally Taylor, director at Numis Securities and Ted Smith, chair of various care companies.