Hales Group Awards 2026 finalists announced

After receiving more than 400 nominations from colleagues, clients and service users across the organisation, Hales Group is proud to announce the finalists for the Hales Group Awards 2026.

The awards celebrate individuals and teams who consistently go above and beyond, making a meaningful difference while embodying the organisation’s values across both Hales Homecare and Hales Jobs.

This year’s response has been the biggest yet, with nominations highlighting stories of compassion, dedication, leadership, teamwork and outstanding support across the Group.

All entries were carefully reviewed by an independent judging panel, who faced the difficult task of shortlisting finalists from an incredibly strong pool of nominations.

Hales Group Awards Finalists

Frontline Care/Support Worker of the Year

• Adele Wilkinson, Care Worker – Leeds Homecare

• Lacey Lazell, Care Worker – Wickford Homecare

• Maria Barrie, Care Worker – Hull Homecare

Care Coordinator / Quality Assessor of the Year

• Chloe Clarke, Care Coordinator – Leeds Homecare

• Gemma Havelock, Care Coordinator – Ipswich Homecare

• Stevie-Mae Dalton, Care Coordinator – Grimsby Homecare

Temporary Consultant of the Year

• Alice Crowther-Holsey, Principal Consultant – Bury St Edmunds Recruitment

• Macy Stevens, Recruitment Consultant – Lowestoft Recruitment

• Magdalena Parczewska, Account Manager – Diss Recruitment  

Permanent Consultant of the Year

• Emma Eaglen, Business Manager – Letchworth Recruitment  

• Hannah Bretton, Recruitment Consultant – Lowestoft  Recruitment  

• Janine Broughton, Principal Consultant – Bury St Edmunds Recruitment  

Leader of the Year

• Alex Capps, Business Manager – Lowestoft  Recruitment 

• Charlotte Romer, Business Manager – Bury St Edmunds Recruitment

• Marilyn Lazell, Registered Manager – Essex Homecare

• Shelly Beech, Registered Manager – Sheffield Homecare

Person in Supporting Role

• Lesley Boyle, Credit Controller

• Tayla Clarke, HR Specialist (Health, Safety and Wellbeing)

• Clare Morrison, PA to Directors/Operations Support

Rising Star

• Scarlett Rzeczycki, Recruitment Resourcer – Bury St Edmunds Recruitment

• Symphorosa Ketchem, Care Worker – Peterborough Homecare

• James Cairns, Regional Recruiter – Central Homecare Team

Team of the Year

• Letchworth, Recruitment

• People Services Team (HR, Marketing & IT)

• Homecare Central Quality Team

• Parkside Court Extra Care

• North East Region, Homecare

Hales Hero of the Year

• John Ipuole Ogbudu, Care Worker – Leeds Homecare

• Rebecca Bunyan-Terry, Care Manager – Cornell Court Extra Care

• Saraj Ahmad, Quality Assurance Officer – Peterborough Homecare

• Suwebatu Thahiru Yunusa, Care Worker – Montbazon Court Extra Care
  

The Hales Group Awards recognise the people behind the group’s success, from frontline care and recruitment teams to supporting departments and leaders who make a positive impact every day.

The awards ceremony will take place on Thursday 4 June at Delta Hotels by Marriott Peterborough, where winners will be announced and finalists celebrated alongside colleagues, partners and sponsors.

Congratulations to all finalists, and thank you to everyone who submitted nominations and helped recognise the incredible people across Hales Group.