Social care representative body The National Care Forum (NCF) has appointed Andy Cole, as the chair of its board with immediate effect.

Cole succeeds Maria Ball, chief executive of Quantum Care, who has held the post since 2017. Ball will remain as a board member.

Cole is chief executive of Royal Star & Garter and an NCF board member since 2017.

Royal Star & Garter is a military charity, which provides care to veterans and their partners living with disability or dementia. Cole led the development of the charity’s home in High Wycombe, which opened in 2019, and is championing the launch of new services for veterans. He was previously chief executive of the national premature baby charity, Bliss, and was a director at health and welfare charity Leonard Cheshire. He also sits on the council of Buckinghamshire New University.

Cole said: “The last year has been hugely challenging for everyone in social care, and NCF has played a vital role in not only helping our own members but also the wider sector onto a path for recovery. It will be a privilege to champion our members as we fight for meaningful reform in the years ahead.”

Ball added: “I am very confident that Andy Cole will bring a huge amount of experience, passion, new energy and vision to the role I have truly enjoyed over the past three years, despite a year which has been exceptionally challenging for all of us leading care organisations. It has also been a year in which the NCF has really come to the force as a voice of social care. I know Andy will support Vic in building even more on this huge achievement.”

NCF chief executive, Vic Rayner commented: “Maria has been a dedicated chair and during the last year has steered the NCF team and members through the pandemic. As we approach our 30th anniversary Andy will bring his invaluable experience and expertise to the role of NCF chair.”

The National Care Forum brings together more than 135 of the UK’s social care organisations, representing large numbers of care providers, offering thousands of services across the country, which are not for profit. Collectively, these organisations deliver more than £2 billion of social care support to around 174,000 people in more than 9,200 settings. The NCF membership body collectively employs more than 95,500 people.