THE Batley-born chairman of a care homes company has been named one of the leading social care “influencers” in the UK by a panel of experts and commentators in the field.

Lawrence Tomlinson, who heads the LNT Group, based at Garforth, was placed second in the inaugural Social Care Top 30 organised by Care Talk Magazine.

Jane Ashcroft, chief executive of Anchor Care, was named top for heading up the national group employing 9,000 people.

Mr Tomlinson was recognised for his pioneering role in providing top quality care through his Ideal Care Home Group.

Based in the North and Midlands, the group has 1,900 beds across 34 care homes and prides itself on the quality of care and the fact that it doesn’t charge top up fees.

Mr Tomlinson is also a passionate campaigner for better social care for the vulnerable and elderly and has lobbied government ministers and leading MPs to radically reform social care funding.

Nominations for the Social Care Top 30 came from across the diverse field of social care and included some of the most high profile thought leaders and providers in the sector.

Mr Tomlinson, who received his award from radio and TV presenter and journalist Jeremy Vine, said: “It’s a privilege to be able to provide care for some of our most vulnerable and elderly members of society, but that brings with it great responsibility which I and the team at Ideal take very seriously.”

In the same week, Mr Tomlinson was also named among the top 15 national influencers in the health and social care sector by Health Investor in its annual poll of Top 50.

The latest accolades follows Mr Tomlinson being named Director of the Year by the Institute of Directors in October.

The LNT Group has interests including care homes, construction, software and the Ginetta car manufacturing business.