Title

CHIEF EXECUTIVES

Newham chief executive among New Year Honours

Chief executives, directors and council leaders have been recognised in the New Year’s Honours list for their ‘tireless’ contribution to local communities.

Chief executives, directors and council leaders have been recognised in the New Year's Honours list for their ‘tireless' contribution to local communities.

Newham LBC boss Kim Bromley-Derry received a CBE, along with Clare Chamberlain - the director of family services for the tri-boroughs Hammersmith and Fulham, Kensington and Chelsea, and Westminster - former County Councils' Network chairman David Hodge, Local Government Ombudsman Jane Martin, Wandsworth LBC leader Ravindra Govinda, and Doncaster MBC mayor Ros Jones. 

Catherine Blair, the former director of specialist children and families services for Islington LBC, received a MBE.

Andrew Christie, former tri-borough director of children's services, Solihull MBC leader Bob Sleigh and Tendring DC leader Neil Stock were al awarded OBEs.

Other notable honours included:

  • Jack Straw, lately chief executive of Swansea City & CC - OBE for services to local government
  • Dr Anthony Hill, lately director of public health of Lincolnshire CC - MBE for services to public health
  • Malcolm Newsam, lately children's social care commissioner at Rotherham MBC CBE for services to children's social care
  • Nigel Richardson, lately director of children's services at Leeds City Council - CBE for services to children and families
  • Terry Dafter, lately director of adult social care at Stockport MBC - OBE for services to children's and adult social care
  • Paul Rowsell, deputy director for democracy at the Department for Communities and Local Government CBE for services to local government
  • Roderick Clifton, operations support manager at the Valuation Office Agency - MBE for services to council tax processes
  • Annie Shepperd, the chief executive officer of Salix Finance and former boss of Southwark LBC - OBE for services to energy efficiency and child protection

Communities secretary Sajid Javid said: ‘It's fantastic to see some of those working in local government across the country recognised in the New Year's Honours list for their outstanding contribution to our communities.

‘It's only right that these dedicated people and their tireless efforts are honoured in this way. 

‘I would like to thank them for all that they do.'

CHIEF EXECUTIVES

The cracks that threaten integrated care

By Matthew Taylor | 04 December 2025

Groundbreaking investigation by The MJ and its sister title Healthcare Management reveal a stark and escalating crisis: Integrated Care Boards collectively o...

CHIEF EXECUTIVES

EXCLUSIVE: ICB debt hits £570m

By Lee Peart | 04 December 2025

Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) owe English councils hundreds of millions of pounds, creating cash flow problems, risking delivery and straining key relationsh...

CHIEF EXECUTIVES

EXCLUSIVE: Tower Hamlets improving but risk of 'optimism bias'

By Paul Marinko | 04 December 2025

Tower Hamlets LBC has improved and continues to show ‘strong financial management’ but a tendency toward ‘optimism bias’ remains, according to a sector-led p...

CHIEF EXECUTIVES

Killian reveals ICB tensions

By Lee Peart | 04 December 2025

Local Government Association (LGA) chief executive Joanna Killian has spoken of ‘tensions’ between councils and Integrated Care Boards (ICB) amid changes to ...

Popular articles by Laura Sharman