A FAMILY-run community care service has struck gold at a prestigious industry awards ceremony.

Agincare, based in Dorset, scooped the Large Business of the Year gong at the inaugural Central South Business Awards held at the Hilton, Ageas Bowl, in Southampton.

The awards, organised by Business South, are aimed at celebrating the achievements of companies across a whole range of sectors in the region.

Agincare won the Large Business Awards with finalists including Meachers Global Logistics, Portsmouth International Port, Ridge and Partners LLP, and Savills UK Ltd.

The company runs a number of care home across Dorset including Agincourt Care Home, Crecy Care Home, and Trafalgar Care Home in Weymouth as well as Cheriton Care Home in Dorchester.

As part of the judging process, representatives from award sponsors Womble Bond Dickinson visited Agincare’s national Head Office on Portland to learn more about the family-run care provider.

They met key Agincare leaders, including Chief Executive Raina Summerson and Head Office Services Director Adam Luckhurst.

Mr Luckhurst said: “I am extremely honoured to accept this prestigious award on behalf of everyone at Agincare.

“We are proud to be a family-run company in everything we do, it really is a team effort.

“I would like to thank the award sponsors Womble Bond Dickinson, it was a pleasure to meet them and talk about Agincare’s extraordinary journey over the last 35 years.”

The award recognises Agincare’s confidence, commitment and innovation in meeting challenges of the past 12 months, including the ongoing pandemic and recruitment pressures felt across many sectors.

Agincare continued to invest in new and existing services and worked closer than ever with key partners, including councils and the NHS.

The award also reflects Agincare’s journey from a single care home in Weymouth, opened by Founder and Chairman Derek Luckhurst over 35 years ago, to becoming a leading independent care group nationwide.

Previously, Raina Summerson has been recognised Home Care Insight's Power List, recognising influential voices in the health and social care sector.

Founded by Derek Luckhurst in 1986, Agincare now employs more than 3,500 people at 50 locations.