Carers UK are delighted to congratulate Emily Holzhausen, Director of Policy and Public Affairs, on receipt of her CBE at Windsor Castle.
Emily, who joined Carers UK in 1996, leads on the charity’s strategic development and directs the policy, research, campaigning, parliamentary and media work.
Her leadership and dedication to carers has helped to bring about vital new legislation and policy change to improve the lives of carers across the UK, resulting in significant changes to pensions, social care rights, equality law, welfare benefits and employment rights.
Most recently Emily led a high-profile campaign which saw carers gain new statutory rights to better balance work and unpaid care via the Carer’s Leave Act.
In 2015, she was awarded an OBE by HM The Queen and will now receive the higher honour of a CBE for services to unpaid carers, recognising her outstanding contribution in this area.
Emily also sits on numerous advisory groups for the Government, the NHS, and other policy organisations. She was instrumental in establishing the Care and Support Alliance and now co-chairs the organisation which represents more than sixty leading charities campaigning for better care across the UK.
She serves as the Policy Committee Chair and Board member of the International Alliance of Care Organisations (IACO) and a member of the board on Eurocarers - the European network representing carers and carer organisations.
Helen Walker, Chief Executive of Carers UK, said:
“I can’t emphasise enough how well-deserved this award is – it is testament to Emily’s tireless and tenacious campaigning, which has had a significant impact on the lives of countless carers across the UK.
“On behalf of the whole team at Carers UK I’d like to congratulate Emily in the warmest possible terms, and to thank her for her leadership, vision and dedication which makes an incredible difference to our work bringing carers together to have a voice and deliver lasting change.”
Nick Baird, Chair of Trustees at Carers UK, said:
“With her initiative and expertise, Emily has impressively steered the policy, campaigning and public affairs work at Carers UK for nearly thirty years. Her work with corporate partners, in Parliament, and, most importantly, with carers themselves is pivotal to all that Carers UK does. Her steadfast commitment to carers and their rights is deserving of the greatest admiration. Many congratulations to Emily on this richly deserved award.”
Emily Holzhausen, Director of Policy and Public Affairs at Carers UK, said:
I’m deeply humbled to receive this honour, having had the privilege of working with so many unpaid carers over the years. Many carers have shared their valuable time, experiences and expertise to help make a tangible difference, but of course, there is still much more to be achieved.
“I’d also like to say thank you to the many talented colleagues, local carers’ organisations, researchers, policy makers and politicians I’ve worked with – for their passion to put unpaid carers in the spotlight, ensure carers' voices are heard and their hugely valued contributions.
“Every day, I am reminded of the pressing need to make life better for carers. I’m determined to realise a future where carers are truly recognised and supported, where they have more choice about caring and a better life for them and their families.”