Carers UK are incredibly proud to announce, and would like to congratulate Emily Holzhausen, Director of Policy and Public Affairs, who has been named in the King’s Birthday Honours List 2024.
Emily, who has worked at the charity since 1996, is responsible for the strategic development and direction of policy, research, campaigning, parliamentary and media work.
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.
With over 30 years’ experience of issues relating to carers, Emily’s leadership has helped to secure vital new legislation, policy, and practice to improve the lives of carers.
She has led high-profile campaigns resulting in important changes to pensions, social care rights, equality law, welfare benefit changes and employment rights – most recently the Carer’s Leave Act, offering all carers new statutory rights to better balance work and unpaid care.
Emily also sits on numerous advisory groups for Government, the NHS, academia, and policy organisations. She helped establish the Care and Support Alliance, which includes nearly 60 organisations and is currently a Co-Chair.
Her expertise is valued as a Board member and the Policy Committee Chair of the International Alliance of Carer Organisations (IACO), and as a Board member of Eurocarers – the European network representing carers and carer organisations.
Helen Walker, Chief Executive of Carers UK, said:
“It’s perfect timing as we come to the end of Carers Week 2024 that we’re able to celebrate Emily whose efforts in raising awareness and campaigning tirelessly for carers have had such powerful results – in fact she has been the lead on Carers Week for many years.
“Emily’s leadership, vision and tenacity makes an incredible difference to our work bringing carers together to have a voice and deliver lasting change. I’d like to congratulate Emily in the warmest possible terms on behalf of the whole team on this well-deserved award.”
Nick Baird, Chair of Trustees at Carers UK, said:
“Emily’s expertise and insights have proved to be invaluable time and time again, strengthening our partnership work with corporate, political, and charitable organisations alike. I have huge admiration for the leadership she delivers every day in the charity’s policy, campaigning, and public affairs work.
“She is well-informed, tenacious and above all empathetic in her approach to achieving better support for carers. I’m delighted that her work, which has had an impact on the lives of countless people, can be recognised through this prestigious award.”
Emily Holzhausen, Director of Policy and Public Affairs at Carers UK, said:
“I’m overwhelmed and deeply humbled to receive this honour. I feel extremely fortunate to have worked with so many unpaid carers over the years, who have lent their voices, time and experience to making change. I have also worked with many talented colleagues, determined and brilliant local carers’ organisations, researchers who want to make a difference, proactive and committed companies, and policy makers and politicians who see change as being absolutely critical.
“Whilst we’ve achieved a great deal together, I’m reminded every day how much more there still is to do. I am determined to see a future where carers have more choice about caring, greater support and a better life for them and their families.”