Milton Keynes social care champion awarded OBE after “redefining” kindness in care
A woman who has devoted her career to improving the lives of adults in care in Milton Keynes and Bucks has been recognised with an OBE.
Anna Selby, Executive Director of Quality at HC-One, has been awarded the Order of the British Empire in the 2026 New Years Honours List. This comes after over three decades worth of service to both adult mental health and social care, where her actions to redefine kindness have been transformative.
She has marked some impressive achievements throughout her career, including delivering the first ‘Outstanding’ CQC rating for a domiciliary retirement service within two years, supporting the transformation of NHS community services in Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes, and delivering dementia care innovations that shaped commissioning agendas.
Anna was also at the forefront of the Covid-19 pandemic, a harrowing and deeply difficult time for everyone involved in adult social care services. Leading her organisation’s Covid-19 Task Force, Anna guided 46 residential homes through the pandemic, working closely with Government, local authorities, and the NHS. Her leadership ensured that 45 out of 46 homes achieved ‘Good’ or ‘Outstanding’ CQC ratings, and the Task Force earned a prestigious Knight Frank Award.
More recently at HC-One, Anna's experience and leadership qualities redefined the organisation’s approach to kind care. Through hundreds of conversations with residents, their families and colleagues, Anna developed a philosophy of kindness and quality that prioritises understanding the person being cared for, not just their conditions. This new approach helped to enhance care across the organisation.
Under Anna’s leadership, HC-One’s quality ratings have risen from 78% to 89% of homes rated ‘Good’ or ‘Outstanding’ by the Care Quality Commission, a record high for HC-One and among the best in the sector. In addition, by the end of 2024, 95% of HC-One homes achieved a rating of 9/10 or higher from residents and their loved ones, up from around 80% before Anna’s tenure.
Anna Selby OBE, Executive Director of Quality at HC-One said: “I am incredibly proud to be receiving this honour and it is wonderful to be named amongst incredible individuals who have made such a meaningful impact.
“This OBE is really recognition of the hard work and dedication of all our colleagues across our homes. Their determination to provide the highest quality of kind care is inspiring and is the driving force behind how we support those in our care to lead their best lives.”
David Smith, CEO of HC-One, said: “We are incredibly proud of Anna. Kindness sits at the heart of her approach, and her impact at HC-One and on the wider adult social care sector is both profound and far-reaching. Her OBE is a testament to the difference she has made - and continues to make - to the lives of those who receive care.
Anna’s leadership shines through in the way she empowers others to do the incredible work they do, and the way she celebrates their achievements. We are so pleased that her own outstanding contribution has been recognised through her OBE – congratulations Anna.”