Given the challenges faced by the health and social care sector, it’s those who are leading the charge for change and improvement that must be recognised.

Last night Professor Martin Green, chief executive of Care England, was recognised by peers for just this, receiving the ‘Outstanding contribution’ award for his work in the sector.

Professor Green was recognised for his service to the care sector as chief executive of Care England, chair of the International Longevity Centre, a trustee of Independent Age, vice-president of the Care Workers Charity, and a champion of The National Aids Trust. But more important still, as an unswerving champion of the care sector at a time when it needs a strong and dedicated voice at Westminster.

In the ambient setting of the JW Marriott Grosvenor Hotel before an audience of leading players from across the health and social care sector, others recognised included Alliance Medical, which took home the award for ‘Diagnostic provider of the year’, the recently acquired Greenbrook Healthcare walked away with the ‘Primary care provider of the year’ award, and Nuffield Health won ‘Private hospital group of the year’.

Luxury care home operator Hamberley Care, which has been an active market player, received the ‘Residential care provider of the year’ award.

The advisory and financial organisations recognised at the award ceremony, hosted by the enigmatic comedian Rob Beckett, included L.E.K. Consulting, which was awarded ‘Consultants of the year – strategic’, and PwC, which was recognised as ‘Consultants of the year – transactional’, and Apposite Capital returned to the stage for a third year running as ‘Private equity investor of the year’.

The judging panel was an impressive cast of sector leaders, and included Karen Taylor, director, centre for health solutions at Deloitte UK, Mike Parsons, chair, vice-chair and non-executive director across various organisations, Linda McGoldrick, chief executive and president of Financial Health Associates International, and Alfred Foglio, managing partner at GI Europe.