Kay’s gong award for equality work

KAY Allen, recognised for her service to equality

OLDHAMER Kay Allen was awarded an OBE in the Queen’s New Year Honours list.

The 46-year-old, who now lives in Salisbury and works in London, was recognised for her services to equality and diversity.

She works part-time for Royal Mail as head of equality, and has her own business with a number of clients in the field of equality.

She is also a former commissioner with the Disability Rights Commission and stayed with it when it became the Equality and Human Rights Commission. Kay went to Stansfield Road Junior School and South Chadderton Comprehensive School and Oldham College. She left Oldham at the age of 22 when she went to university, and is regarded as a high profile ambassador for equality and social action in both the private and public sector.

Appointed to the Prime Minister’s Council for Social Action, she contributes to discussions at a high strategic level, and is also a non executive director for the DWP Pension Disability and Carers Service.

Her mother, Gladys Allen, still lives in Failsworth, where Kay was born, and she has a sister, Glynis.