You just described a Pink Dogwood/Cornus tree. They come in red, pink, white or variegated and with winter berries. Here is a link for the UK.

https://www.ornamental-trees.co.uk/flowering-dogwood-trees-cornus-trees-c35#page1

There are one or two crabs that might fill the bill.Might you get away with a Judas tree where you are?

there are some pretty winter flowering cherries as well as some small viburnums that would fit the bill. There is also amelanchier [spelling?] common name snowy mespilus.
do the cornus flower before the leaves open?

Well, my problem is that I need to get one soon, as a gift, and of course, all the specimens in the nursery are bare and I can't tell whether the flowers will come before the leaves. The staff were not very helpful--I don't think they really knew!
I will certainly have a look at the cornus but I can't remember seeing the flowers on bare stems before.
Yes, Stera, there is a huge old judas tree in the village so I think one would grow here but looking at the size of that, it would probably be too big. Or maybe they grow slowly enough to fit the bill?
I was hoping someone on here would say they have the very thing and give me a specific name! Lazy aren't I, but I am in a bit of a hurry to get this gift!

Incidentally, SBG, I have an amelanchier canadensis (?) which has been a delight in Spring but does not display the promised autumn colour or the berries. Any tips on that? I'm giving it one last chance this year!
Thank you all for these replies.

The berries on my amelanchier get stripped in August, usually by pigeons. They can't eat them quick enough. Any they can't get to get taken by the blackbirds.

Also take a look at some magnolia trees.

https://www.paramountplants.co.uk/magnolias.html

Mid season or late Flowering Peach?

red flower witch hazels are also a possibility. Viburnum bodantense 'Dawn' are pink, in blossom now at least the one in my neighbours garden is in flower. fragrant too.

the blackbirds take the fruit off my amelanchier August time and the red foliage is stronger after a frost and as it was mild this autumn that could be the reason pennyfarthing. Mine were a lovely buttery yellow this year.

What about Kornus Kousa? It's a small tree which has white bracts in early summer which look like flowers, then small strawberry like fruits later. I love it and am thinking of getting one in the spring - if I can find somewhere to put it.

Red blossom: Crataegus Paul's Scarlet, Malus 'Rudolph', or for pale pink blossom on a smaller tree, Malus 'Gorgeous' , or Malus 'Barbara' with pink blossom, otherwise, Prunus Kanzan with the usual pink cherry blossom.

As most of the members have suggested Amalanchier Canadensis is an absolute star in the garden. As far as not having the berries and autumn colour it could be the location or soil type (does best on an acid soil). If it is a present for someone else and you would like pink flowers then have a look at Amelanchier Grandiflora Robin Hill. Otherwise SBG's suggestion of Viburnum bodantense 'Dawn' as a large shrub.

Well! Now I am overwhelmed and spoilt for choice! Thank you all very much. I'm off round the garden centres in the morning to see whether they have any of these suggestions! For tonight I am going to look them all up online, hoping for pictures.
Regarding the amelanchier, the leaves just look sad and dull brown in autumn. The soil here is heavy wealden clay and neutral. Maybe that's the problem?
Thank you again everyone--with any luck I'll find this gift tomorrow!

Not all Amelanchiers have good autumn colour, depends on the variety - not sure what yours is, but I can tell you that Amelanchier Obelisk, for instance, does not have leaves that turn red in autumn. A. canadensis, though, does usually turn red...

Don't do anything until you check out the 8 little girl magnolias. 'Ann', 'Betty', 'Judy', 'Jane', 'Randy', 'Ricki', 'Susan' and Pinkie. Definitely worth checking out. They are all small-medium sized trees that bloom a little later on bare wood. Various shapes and tones of pink & purple.

Oooh Bathgate, they sound great! I'll certainly take a look. With all these suggestions and having spent all evening looking them up, I think I'll be buying one tree for my friend and several for myself! If only I had the space! I'm sure I'll find room for one or two though even if I have to invest in a couple of large pots.

Bamboo, it is a canadensis, or so the label said, so I'm wondering whether I need to add something to make the soil acid.

Whoops, sorry, got my varieties mixed up - its Amelanchier lamarckii which reliably turns shades of red in autumn - this feature is not mentioned for A. canadensis (well not in my Encyclopaedia, and the entries are very detailed). It doesn't require acid soil, it just doesn't like limey soils, rather like Japanese Acers - if yours is growing well, then its not a soil ph problem. A frosty autumn causes more autumn colour too.

With regard to Magnolia, they generally like very fertile, moist but well drained, non chalky soil, and do not like root disturbance; that makes underplanting not a good idea, and in smaller gardens, this might be a big consideration, so bear that in mind when making your choice of tree.

Thanks for that info, Bamboo. I'll bear it in mind, and I'll give the amelanchier this year to prove itself!

Magnolias also prefer a slightly acidic soil with a PH of 5.5-6.5

The best small tree I have found is Prunus Subhirtella Autumnalis. You can get either white or pink ones and my white one is in flower now. They have blossom on all winter and the leaves follow in the spring. They don't get too big and they are just all round beautiful trees. Any good nursery should have them.

Thanks Homebird, the purchase has been delayed as I am laid low with a virus, so I will certainly have a look at that one too. It will probably boil down to whichever of these suggestions is available when I get to the garden centres! Just going to find a pic of malus Gorgeous.

I agree that Prunus Autumnalis is extremely pretty . . . and the Judas tree Cercis siliquastrum definitely has pink/purple flowers before the leaves (ours is only 7ft and can be pruned hard). What a delightful dilemma!