Tim Oliver, leader of Surrey County Council, and Rachael Wardell, executive director of children, families and lifelong learning at the council, have been awarded OBEs in the King’s Birthday Honours list.
Tim has been given his as councillor and leader for services to local government. He became leader of the council in 2018, and is currently also the chair of the County Councils Network and chair of the Surrey Heartlands Integrated Care Board.
He said, “I’m delighted that the King recognises so many people’s contribution to public service in this way, and it’s an honour to receive an award. During the last six years as Leader of Surrey County Council nothing could have been achieved without the dedication and skill of those colleagues who put public service at the heart of everything they do. So, I’d like to say a big thank you to all those who have supported me, and to the people of Surrey who I’ve had the privilege of leading in this great county.”
Rachael, who has held her position since 2020 and who is also the vice president of the association of the Association of Directors of Children’s Services, has driven significant improvements in children’s services, something recently recognised by Ofsted.
Her OBE was in recognition of her services to children’s social care. She said she was ‘pleased and honoured’ to receive her OBE.
“As with any kind of public service, any of the achievements or successes attributed to me are really the work of dozens, if not hundreds of people, pulling together in the interests of children and their families, so I am grateful to all the teams I have been privileged to work with over the years whose skills and strengths are reflected in this recognition.”
