Derek Law, group chairman of Coastline Housing, received the national award for Outstanding Contribution to Social Care at the Great British Care Awards.

Derek, from Perranwell Station, attended a ceremony in Birmingham for the award finals along with over 900 of the country’s top social care professionals.

He said: “It is an honour, privilege and humbling to receive this recognition especially having witnessed the amazing range of talented and committed front line staff and managers present at the awards.

"I have always maintained that these are the people who matter most and make the real difference to people's lives. It is the frontline staff who deliver the vision and strategies that people like myself orchestrate and, without them, the excellent care services for people in need simply wouldn't exist. My thanks for this recognition goes to them.”

The Great British Care Awards, presented by Care England and hosted by broadcaster Jeremy Vine, brought together the winners from regional awards held in the autumn. Derek won the Outstanding Contribution to Social Care award at the South West ceremony and was invited to compete against seven other winners to become the national champion.

This accolade was awarded to Derek following a 40-year career in the social care sector with trusts and local authorities across the country.

It includes several years at North Yorkshire County Council as corporate director of adult and community services and 13 years working within Cornwall County Council as both deputy director and acting director of social services.

Allister Young, chief executive of Coastline Housing, said: “Coastline is proud to see Derek getting this recognition for his longstanding commitment to the importance of quality care. It recognises his leadership and hard work and also the value he places on the real stars – the people that deliver the care.”