Emily Holzhausen OBE is the Director of Policy and Public Affairs for Carers UK, who she has been with since 1996, and is one of the country’s foremost experts on carers’ issues.

She is responsible for the organisation’s UK and England strategic development and direction of policy, research, campaigning, parliamentary and media work.

Emily leads on advice and awareness for the charity – supporting tens of thousands of carers each year through its Adviceline services. She is also responsible for Carers Week, one of the UK’s biggest awareness weeks.

Emily has developed and led different campaigns which have resulted in new legislation, policy or practice to improve the lives of carers.

She was a trustee of the Fawcett Society for six years and, prior to her role at Carers UK, she was responsible for public affairs work at the National Federation of Women’s Institutes.

Emily was awarded an OBE for services to carers in the 2015 Birthday Honours.