Your humble servant, OBE

Councillor Jim McMahon

OLDHAM Council leader Jim McMahon has been awarded an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List for services to Oldham.

The 34-year-old father of two moved to Failsworth from Miles Platting with his partner Charlene Duerden in 2001 and became involved in politics following the birth of his sons Jack (13) and Harry (5).

In May 2003 he was elected to the council for Failsworth East and became Labour group leader within five years, rising to council leader in 2011 – at the time the youngest in the country.

Since then he has worked to “change the Oldham story” and put the borough back on the national map.

In February 2014 he was named Council Leader of the Year at the Councillor Achievement Awards and is now leader of the Local Government Association Labour Group, representing more than 6,000 councillors nationwide.

Councillor McMahon has been the driving force behind key regeneration projects such as the development of the Old Town Hall, a new sports centre and the arrival of Marks and Spencer. He also has schemes such as Get Oldham Working, the Oldham Education and Skills Commission and the town centre’s new Independent Quarter under his belt.

Councillor McMahon said: “The OBE is a very humbling experience – to be honest I’m slightly overwhelmed by it. I found out by letter last month and I’ve had to keep it a secret since then with only my closest family knowing.

“Becoming a dad was really the driving force for getting involved in local politics and since then I’ve been fortunate to work alongside some excellent people who shared a vision to change Oldham’s story and set it back on a path to future success.

“I’m a dad trying my best to make the town we love the best it can be. I have the same hopes and fears as everyone else. I have moments of doubt and, like anyone would, I sometimes feel overwhelmed by the sheer scale of the challenges but I see through that to the positives and opportunities. This honour isn’t saying the job is done: we’re in the early stages of a long journey.”