West Sussex Nurse amongst those receiving King’s Birthday Honours

Zoë Fry OBE

Zoë Fry, from Shoreham, has been awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) medal for services rendered to social care and to nursing

Zoë has been recognised for her long service and ongoing dedication to adult social care, which includes collaboratively founding and transforming the Community Interest Company The Outstanding Society, working as a frontline nurse in the sector, after purchasing and operating a care home which was one of the first in Sussex to receive the Care Quality Commission’s Outstanding rating. Zoë’s drive for quality care saw her home twice rated by the CQC as Outstanding, as well as winning many national awards.

In 2021, Zoë’s passion to support other providers in the sector saw her sell her care home, Valerie Manor, which provides residential and nursing care for the elderly across West Sussex, so that she could focus her time on further expanding The Outstanding Society. Zoë’s passion and knowledge to be able to advocate at the highest level of social care leaders was also highlighted in the nomination and Honours List.

Commenting on the honour, Zoë said:

“I am incredibly proud that so many people believe that my contribution to the sector has been enough to make me deserving of an OBE medal. Since starting my career as a nurse, I have been dedicated to helping people across the UK and doing everything I can to contribute to a sector that supports creativity, innovative care and best practice for everyone accessing its services. It means so much to be able to provide a voice for the sector and accept this prestigious honour on behalf of so many amazing colleagues who make a difference to people’s lives every day”.

In 2014 Zoë became one of the principal founders of The Outstanding Society, an organisation that was established by a small group of social care operators to support the driving up of quality care across the UK. Over the last two years, Zoë and the founding team have transformed the free-to-access support organisation, shaping it into a driven Community Interest Company with over 3,000 members across the country. 

Since its inception, Zoë has played a crucial role as a Director, particularly working in partnership with multiple organisations, including Skills for Care and Care England, and providing trusted insight into both the challenges and innovative best practice that is emerging across the sector. 

Commenting on Zoë’s achievement, Martin Green, Chief Executive of Care England, said: “Zoë has played a crucial role in developing, supporting and promoting high-quality health and social care services across the UK, particularly through the founding and development of The Outstanding Society. I believe Zoë’s work has been of great significance and she has personified and championed the values and behaviours that are the cornerstone of high-quality social care services”.

Others awarded today include: 

Andrew Ledgerton-Lynch is now OBE, he from Worthing who has been the Editor of FIRE magazine for the last 23 years and chaired The Fire Fighters Charity from 2016-2020, the first non-fire service trustee to lead the charity. 

Kevin BYRNE from Arundel the Founder of Checkatrade.com, has been made an OBE for services to Industry and to Consumer Protectio

OBEs also go to Jo-Ann D’COSTA-MANUEL from Crawley for her work as an Autism Ambassador and Parent Advocate. 

Victoria Gradden from Pulborough for her services to the Queens state funeral in her role as Head of the Royal Navy’s Domestic Engagement and Clare Elizabeth Scherer, from Chichester,  Chief Executive Officer, The Naval Children’s Charity for services to Royal Navy Families.