Naomi Jones, Home Manager at Otterburn care home in Birmingham, has won the ‘Registered Manager of the Year’ title at the West Midlands regional heats of the Great British Care Awards.
The awards shine a spotlight on excellence within social care, honouring those who make an exceptional difference to the lives of the people they support. There are 11 regional ceremonies held each year, with category winners progressing to the national grand finale.
Judges praised Naomi for her “visionary leadership”, describing her as “an award-winning Registered Manager who has transformed her service into a vibrant, family-centred home. Through mentoring and professional development, she inspires her team while enhancing residents’ lives with exceptional care and meaningful opportunities.”
Otterburn, part of Exemplar Health Care, supports adults living with complex needs arising from mental health, neurological, and physical health conditions. The home recently became just the 13th in the UK to be accredited by the Huntington’s Disease Association’s Quality Assured scheme, recognising its specialist expertise and commitment to high-quality care for people living with the disease.
Naomi, who has managed Otterburn for four years, said:
“I’m honoured to receive this award, and to be recognised for something I love doing every day is an amazing feeling. I’ve always been driven by a desire to make a difference – to empower people, challenge perceptions, and create a home that people are proud to be part of. It’s a privilege to lead such a passionate team who go above and beyond every single day.”
Judges also commended Naomi’s “innovation, compassion, and dedication” which has helped set “a new standard of excellence”.
Naomi’s success is rooted in her approach to combining strategic vision with practical support and coaching, ensuring people receive the best possible care while colleagues feel confident, valued, and empowered.
She has introduced multi-disciplinary team meetings across all units and strengthened professional development through developing 15 specialist champion roles in areas such as dementia, continence care, and modified diets. She has embedded a culture of dignity, inclusion, respect, and continual self-improvement, while ensuring residents are at the heart of decision making about both their own care, and wider life at the home.
Her leadership also extends beyond the home, and she and her team have been recognised nationally having previously won ‘Fundraisers of the Year’ from the Huntington’s Disease Association.
Mark Rushton, Regional Director at Exemplar Health Care, said:
“Naomi is an outstanding leader whose compassion, expertise, and vision make a lasting difference every day. Her focus on empowering her team and ensuring the people she supports are placed at the heart of decision making embodies everything Exemplar Health Care stands for. We’re incredibly proud to see her success recognised at the Great British Care Awards.”
As the West Midlands winner, Naomi will now go forward to the national finals of the Great British Care Awards, taking place in spring 2026.
