Local government workers, firefighters, teachers, police officers and foster carers were among the public sector workers honoured by the Queen in the New Year Honours List 2021.
Public sector workers made up 14.8 per cent of the 1,239 recipients on the list, which was also the most ethnically diverse set of honours to date, with 14.2 per cent of recipients coming from a black, Asian or minority ethnic background.
Honours for elected members included an OBE for Cllr Azhar Ali, Leader of Lancashire County Council’s Labour Group, for services to the community in North West England; an MBE for Cllr David Skinner (Con, Coventry), for services to the community in Coventry; and a BEM for Cllr Paul Lobley (Lab, Amber Valley), Ripley town councillor and former town mayor, also for services to the community.
Irene Lucas-Hays CBE, former Chief Executive of Sunderland City Council and South Tyneside Metropolitan Council, was made a Dame Commander (DBE) for services to training, education and young people.
David Pearson CBE, former Director of Adult Social Care and Health at Nottinghamshire County Council, was knighted for services to health and social care integration.
There were also CBEs for Professor Graeme Betts, Birmingham City Council’s Director of Adult Social Care, for services to adult social care; and for Pat Ritchie, Chief Executive of Newcastle City Council, for services to local government and public service reform.