Chief Executive receives CBE.

Carole Hudson, Chief Executive of St. Helens Council, awarded the CBE in the New Years Honours, has received the medal from The Queen at Buckingham Palace.

Mrs Hudson, award the honour in recognition of services to local government. has been Chief Executive of St. Helens since 1991. During this time, she has successfully led St. Helens to become the first designated ‘Excellent’ Council on Merseyside and still retains its top rating four star status. Mrs. Hudson is responsible for helping to establish a number of key organisations in the North West including:

Greater Merseyside Connexions Service
Greater Merseyside Learning and Skills Council
North West Regional Assembly
North West Regional Development Agency
Mrs. Hudson is currently a Key Advisor to the North West Regional Assembly, Clerk to the Merseyside Waste Disposal Authority and is lead Advisor for the North West Region

Speaking about the award, which not only reflects her achievements in St. Helens but also in Merseyside and the North West with neighbouring councils and partner agencies, she said: "While deeply honoured by this I must pay tribute to the excellent staff and Council members who have worked tremendously hard to make St. Helens one of the best authorities in the country. It is a true team effort. I would also like to take this oppoprtunity to thank all my colleagues in Merseyside and the North West for their help and support."

Mrs. Hudson, 51, who lives at Shevington, near Wigan, and is married with two children, is a former Governor of Carmel College. Carmel has a national reputation for excellence and was one of the first four Sixth Form Colleges in the Country to be granted Beacon Status.

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Press release issued: March 1 2007