Amrit Dhaliwal, CEO of home care franchise Walfinch, has been honoured for his outstanding contribution to home care at the Leaders in Care Awards 2026. Amrit was named winner of the Outstanding Contribution to Home Care category at a ceremony in Birmingham on 6 October 2026, held to recognise the most exceptional individuals and businesses in the sector.
Amrit founded Walfinch in 2019, after seven years as an award-winning home care franchisee. Since then he has pioneered a brand-new approach to home care that helps clients thrive, not just survive.
He says: “This award recognises all of the dedicated people in the Walfinch team, who join me in creating and widening our proactive care services. As well as providing outstanding, person-centred care our team is redefining care and working to transform the whole care sector from the inside.” It’s a philosophy he expands on in his book Time to Thrive, The Home Care Revolution.
Amrit has created a network of over 40 franchised Walfinch branches, which employ over 500 carers, and a senior leadership team with over 150 years of care sector and franchise expertise.
Active Care
Walfinch challenges the traditional image of care with its Active Care model, which combines care with activity to keep clients physically and mentally healthier and encourages independence. Every client receiving one hour or more of care is offered at least ten minutes of activity of their choice, be it gentle exercise, gardening, cooking, music, crafts, short outdoor walks, or simply making their own tea.
Walfinch’s franchised offices around the country also run over 54 Thrive Clubs and numbers are growing. The regular, free sessions offer professionally-led mobility classes, refreshments and time to chat, to clients and the local community, extending Walfinch’s support and proactive approach to wellbeing to hundreds of people across the UK every week.
Active Care brings outstanding company performance
Since building its model around Active Care Walfinch has grown its network’s combined turnover by 50% in two years.
Proactive compliance systems, structured operational support and continuous monitoring, help every franchisee deliver safe, effective and compassionate care.
Advocating for the sector
In addition, Amrit is an advocate for the care sector. He has generated hundreds of positive media articles, industry presentations, podcasts and educational videos promoting care and franchising, and sharing solutions on franchise and care recruitment, retention, leadership, technology and business. He runs regular Founders Table events at which aspiring home care franchisees can find out how they can benefit society while building a sustainable business.
Amrit is also an Ambassador for Championing Social Care, helping raise awareness of the vital contribution made by care professionals, and he continues to work with schools, colleges and community organisations to encourage the next generation to consider careers in care. He is also a Business Ambassador for The Royal Osteoporosis Society, for which Walfinch has raised over £13,000 in the past year.
His influence has been recognised through multiple industry awards, including Walfinch winning Best for Home Care at the Home Care Awards for two consecutive years and Amrit being named Most Influential CEO 2025 Home Healthcare, London
Amrit says: “I am committed to strengthening the wider care sector by improving its reputation, attracting new talent and sharing knowledge. This award is an incredible honour and it is a huge incentive to keep driving positive change across the care industry.”
