ADSS Cymru is delighted to celebrate the remarkable achievements of social care leaders from Wales named in His Majesty The King’s New Year Honours List 2026, as individuals from across the country are recognised for their extraordinary contributions to communities, public service and wellbeing.
This year’s list from Wales includes an impressive 60 plus recipients whose work touches every corner of public life, from community advocacy to health, education, environment, the arts and sports, underscoring the depth of service and impact across Welsh society.
Among the celebrated Welsh awardees are three leaders whose vision and dedication to social care exemplifies excellence, innovation and compassion. Each have been honoured for their outstanding services to social care.
- Jason Bennett MBE, Head of Adult Services at Vale of Glamorgan Council and former Chair of ADSS Cymru’s All Wales Adult Services Group. Jason’s career reflects decades of frontline commitment to people with care needs and to strengthening adult social services across the nation. (More at valeofglamorgan.gov.uk)
- Suzanne Griffiths MBE, Director, National Adoption Service for Wales and Foster Wales. Suzanne’s leadership has transformed adoption and fostering systems across Wales, improving outcomes for children and families. (More at adoptcymru.com)
- Sarah Day MBE, Business Delivery Unit Lead for ADSS Cymru. Sarah’s strategic leadership and advocacy have helped shape sector collaboration and influence policy across Wales. (More at practice-solutions.co.uk)
These honours sit within a broader celebration of Welsh achievement this year, from contributions to medical genetics, cancer care and cardiac surgery to community activism, conservation, sports, broadcasting, and cultural life, illustrating the remarkable breadth of talent and service across Wales.
Claire Marchant, Cadeirydd (Chair) of ADSS Cymru, said:
“It is fantastic to see the social care sector in Wales celebrated in this way, not only through the leaders directly honoured, but also in recognition that reflects the extraordinary contributions people make to their communities. These honours spotlight the compassion, professionalism, and dedication that social care brings to the lives of so many of us. At ADSS Cymru, we are so proud of Jason, Suzanne and Sarah; their leadership and vision have made a huge difference to our people and communities over many years."
“This recognition arrives at a pivotal moment for social care in Wales. There is a generational opportunity for the voice of the social care sector to be heard clearly, and for decisions at the highest levesl to reflect the value, challenge and importance of our work. We must leverage this moment to galvanise support, secure long-term investment and affirm that social care is essential to healthy, thriving communities.”
Sarah Day MBE said:
“I still find it hard to believe that I have been recognised in this way. Like everyone involved in social care, I don’t do this work for recognition. What I do know, though, is that this accolade does not belong to me alone: it belongs to the colleagues, partners, people with lived experience, carers and communities who shape and strengthen social care every single day.
If this recognition brings anything, I hope it brings greater visibility to social care in Wales, and renewed momentum to listen to the voices of those with lived experience, voices that bring a unique perspective on social care and its value. I am committed to using this platform to help create space for those voices, to advocate for the value of social care, and to push for the long-term support and investment our sector needs to thrive.”