Our chief executive, Mark Gifford, awarded OBE in the King’s Birthday Honours

Our chief executive Mark Gifford today spoke of his pride and surprise after receiving an OBE for his contribution to public service.

Mr Gifford took over the helm here at FCHO in December following four years in charge of the National Citizen Service Trust.

He has also been a local school governor for many years, is a director at an academy trust and a non-executive director at a local NHS hospital trust.

“I am honoured, humbled and very surprised to be recognised in this way by the King in his Birthday Honours,” he said.

“I passionately believe in public service and have spent much of my personal and professional life supporting communities. It is vitally important to the fabric of our society and I am proud to do so.

“It was also a huge part of my upbringing and family life. My father was a policeman and my mother a social worker. My wife is a deputy head at an Oldham primary school.

“In a wider context, I’m pleased the power of collaboration, community and public service are highlighted when these honours are announced because it is not just about the recipient. No one can achieve all this alone. This honour belongs as much to those who have inspired and supported me, to those I work with and most importantly to all those we serve.”

Mr Gifford, who lives in Middleton and has two grown up children, spent nearly 20 years as a school governor at primary schools in the Oldham and Rochdale areas. He is presently a foundation director at the Diocese of Westminster Academy Trust.

He is also a non-executive director at Manchester University Foundation NHS Hospital Trust.

He added he hoped the honour would help raise the profile of FCHO so our organisation can continue to make a difference to our customers and communities.