He met the chiefs recognized in the birthday honors

Rotherham MBC, Wigan MBC and Sunderland City Council chief executives received OBEs as part of the King’s Birthday Honors list.

Sharon Kemp, chief executive of Rotherham MBC has been awarded an OBE for services to business and the community.

Ms Kemp joined the council in 2016 as part of a new senior management team brought in by government-appointed commissioners, two years after the council came out of special measures and interventions.

She said: “I will be accepting in recognition of the council, the borough and all the councillors, peers, partners and communities who work together to make Rotherham the amazing place it is.”

Wigan chief executive Alison McKenzie-Folan received an OBE. She has dedicated more than three decades to public service, including 15 in local government.

Patrick Melia, who has been Chief Executive of Sunderland City Council since 2018, was also awarded an OBE.

Mr Melia, who took up the role of boss in 2018 and before joining Sunderland, served as chief executive at North Tyneside Council since 2013.

On Twitter/X, Mr Melia said: “It was a huge surprise and one that is a reflection of the amazing team I have the privilege of working with every day.”

Jacqui Gedman, who retired as Kirklees leader last year after serving on the council for 22 years, has been awarded an OBE for services to business and the community.

Former director of children’s services at Wakefield MBC Beate Wagner, executive director of children, families and lifelong learning at Surrey CC Rachael Wardell and Sarah Ann Workman, former director of adult services at Stockton-on-Tees-BC received , also OBE.

Council leaders also featured in the honors list with OBEs awarded to Camden LBC leader Georgia Gould (Lab), Surrey CC leader and County Council Network chairman Tim Oliver (Con) and St Albans City and DC leader Chris White (Lib Dem ).

Clyde Loakes (Lab), deputy leader of Waltham Forest LBC was also awarded an OBE for services to local government.

Meanwhile Chorley leader Alistair Bradley (Lab) has been awarded an MBE for services to local government.

Francis McArdle, former chief executive of South Derbyshire DC, has been awarded an MBE for services to local government.

Mr McArdle retired from the board in May 2023 and was the former head of legal and democratic services before becoming chief executive in 2000.

Other MBE recipients include:

• Jayne Acton, social worker at Wigan Council
• Deborah Brown, director of service reform at Salford City Council
• Christine Grosskopf, former Kent CC Refuge Settlement Program Manager
• Laura Jeuda, former cabinet member for adult social care and health at Cheshire East Council
• Louise Kelley, former sports development manager for Plymouth City Council
• Yvette Thomas, School Improvement Manager at Buckinghamshire CC
• Andrew Willams, (Con) former leader of Dacorum BC
• Lynn Williams, Blackpool Council Leader (Lab).