September 25, 2026 - 253 views
A leading Welsh social care campaigner has stepped down from two major roles after four decades in the sector – but says he is not disappearing from the care industry.
Mario Kreft MBE, owner of the Pendine Park care organisation, has retired as chair and director of Care Forum Wales and the Wales Care Awards, both of which he helped establish.
The Wrexham-based care provider, which has nine homes in Caernarfon and Wrexham, said he would now focus his energies on supporting the social care workforce and smaller independent and community-based care providers, particularly in North Wales.
His decision has prompted tributes from figures across Welsh public life, with former Welsh Government Deputy Minister Julie Morgan describing him as “magnificent”.
She said Mr Kreft had been a crucial voice for care providers during the Covid pandemic, when she was responsible for social care.
“Mario did all in his power at such a crucial time to work with the Welsh Government to mitigate the effects of Covid on care home residents and staff,” she said.
“He was a voice for the sector and was able to tell us with honesty the day to day experiences in the field.
“This was crucially important in a sector made up of many individual small care homes. He worked tirelessly to ensure their views were represented.”
Ms Morgan added: “Mario has a breadth of vision that is rarely seen. I was proud to work with him and he has made his mark on Wales.”
Mr Kreft helped establish Care Forum Wales in 1993 and, a decade later, co-founded the Wales Care Awards, which have since recognised almost 1,000 people working in frontline social care.
He also played a key role in the Five Nations group, representing social care providers across Wales, England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Ireland.
Among his many honours was an MBE, presented by Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace in 2010 for his contribution to social care in Wales. He later received a St David’s Award in the enterprise category and served on a Ministerial Advisory Board on economic growth.
Former Plaid Cymru president Dafydd Wigley said Mr Kreft had played a pioneering role in developing quality care in Wales.
“It is vital that the Welsh Government should build on the foundations which he has laid,” he said.
Fflint Wrecsam MS Ken Skates said Pendine Park had set standards for social care in Wales over four decades.
“Mario has been a tireless champion for social care and a powerful voice in highlighting the enormous contribution the social care sector makes to the Welsh economy, supporting thousands of jobs and sustaining communities right across the country,” he said.
Former Wrexham Senedd member Lesley Griffiths said the sector was in a much stronger position because of Mr Kreft’s leadership.
She said his focus on professionalising the workforce and supporting independent and community-based providers had been vital to the sector’s sustainability.
Mr Kreft said his greatest source of pride was the social care workforce and ensuring its contribution was properly recognised.
“My professional life, and our sector, has been deeply enriched by their dedication and commitment to social care,” he said.
“My greatest personal satisfaction has been in promoting and recognising our glorious social care workforce in Wales.
“The pandemic years brought huge challenges, which were met with fortitude and genuine care and compassion.”
Despite stepping down from his sector-wide roles, Mr Kreft said his commitment to social care remained strong.
He is also continuing to develop Pendine Park, with plans for a new £15 million, 77-bed care home in Wrexham. The development is expected to provide additional dementia care and create more than 200 jobs.
Lord Bichard, who worked with Mr Kreft on the Social Care Institute for Excellence, said his passion for the sector was “immense” and his energy “seemingly endless”.
“Care providers, the workforce and, most of all, the ordinary folk in care have much to thank him for,” he said.
