Rotherham MBC commissioner Mary Ney and director of children’s services Ian Thomas have both been recognised in the Queen’s New Year’s.
Former Greenwich LBC chief executive Ms Ney was made a Dame when the list was unveiled, as part of her work to turn around the council after the child sexual exploitation scandal erupted.
Mr Thomas was also recognised for his part in turning round the basket-case council. The award rounded off a rollercoaster year after he departed Lewisham LBC after less than six months in post, only to be appointed as the new chief at Kingston upon Thames earlier this month.
Tweeting earlier today, he thanked well-wishers and added: ‘Well done to all recognised with various honours for their work. I'm sure they will join me in saying that this is more a reflection of those we work for & with to deliver better services & our peers, mentors, family & friends for being there always.’
The other council chief to leave after less than six months in post at Lincolnshire CC, Keith Ireland, was also recognised. Mr Ireland was given a CBE for work in his last role as managing director of Wolverhampton City Council.
Former Trafford MBC leader Sean Anstee, who lost his post when the council shifted from Conservative control in May’s elections, was also given a CBE, as was Newcastle’s Labour leader Nick Forbes.
There was also an MBE for the Local Government Association Labour Group’s Martin Angus.
Former Camden councillor and GLA chief digital officer, Theo Blackwell was recognised for his services to digital local government.
In response to congratulations from Camden, he tweeted: ‘I count myself lucky to have worked with such a positive & forward-looking team there. In Camden & local government there’s so much bold thinking in design, open data, sharing & collaborating... Looking forward to 2019.’
Other local government awards included:
Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire
Mary Ney, former Rotherham Commissioner and former chief executive of Greenwich LBC
Commanders of the Order of the British Empire
Cllr Sean Anstee, former leader of Trafford MBC
Cllr Nick Forbes, leader of Newcastle City Council
Sheila Mitchell, Public Health England's director of marketing
Ian Thomas, former DCS of Rotherham and incoming chief executive of Kingston upon Thames LBC
Officers of the Order of the British Empire
Keith Ireland, former managing director of City of Wolverhampton Council
Cllr Ivan Ould, cabinet member for children and young people at Leicestershire CC
Cllr Rory Love, chairman, Conservative Councillors' Association
Sandra Popoola, head of capability building and resourcing, MHCLG
Janice Spencer, assistant director for children's social care, Lincolnshire CC
Maria Walker, former director of education and childrens services at Aberdeenshire Council
Shahed Saleem Tariq, deputy director of children and families, Leeds City Council
Members of the Order of the British Empire
Lynette Adjei, former marketing and promotions officer, Birmingham City Council
Martin Angus, LGA Labour Group office
Theo Blackwell, chief digital officer at the GLA and Camden councillor
Patricia Craig, personal secretary to director for local government and communities, Scottish Government.
Cllr Peter Edgar, member for education, Hampshire CC
Elisabeth Skinner, Academic leader, Society of Local Council Clerks.
Ian Swift, head of housing solutions, Southwark LBC.
Cllr Rhydian Vaughan, Hampshire CC
Louise Walker, head of social work and professional standards, Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council.
Wendy Nicholson, Public Health England's national lead for children, young people and families
Ros Westwood, Derbyshire CC’s museums manager for services to culture in the East Midlands
Medallist of the Order of the British Empire
Aimee Hinton, Social Worker, Essex CC
Cllr Donald MacMillan, Mid Argyll Council
