Right royal nod for council chief

WHAT an honour . . . Carolyn Wilkins OBE

1 More Image(s) In Gallery

OLDHAM Council chief executive Carolyn Wilkins has been presented with her OBE from the Queen at Buckingham Palace.

The 49-year-old, who was named in the Queen's Birthday Honours list in June, was made an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire for her services to local government and public service reform.

Posting the news on Twitter, Dr Wilkins said: "It was such a privilege to receive my honour from the Queen.

"An amazing, humbling experience. So great talking to others honoured for their fantastic contributions."

Issues

She has been in the post since January, 2014, and has led a programme of growth and reform through the local authority's co-operative agenda.

Dr Wilkins is part of what is currently Greater Manchester's only all-female chief executive and council leader team.

She also commands the lead chief executive role for Greater Manchester on a range of issues including delivering the Complex Dependency Programme as part of wider public sector reform, communications and engagement, and the development of a new Greater Manchester leadership framework.

Oldham Council leader Jean Stretton said: "It is an award that is richly deserved.

"I know that the council team and all partners will join me in congratulating Carolyn."