A LOCAL housing association chief has received an OBE from The King at Windsor Castle.
Mark Gifford, chief executive of First Choice Homes Oldham (FCHO), was awarded the honour for his contribution to public service.
The 54-year-old travelled to Berkshire with his wife Jane and their adult children, Anna and Joseph, to collect the honour at a recent investiture ceremony.
Mr Gifford has led FCHO for the past year and, before taking up the role, was chief executive of the National Citizen Service Trust (NCS) – a position in which he worked closely with young volunteers across the country.
Alongside his work in housing, Mr Gifford is a non-executive director at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust and a foundation director at The Diocese of Westminster Academy Trust.
He has also spent almost two decades as a school governor at primary schools in Oldham and Rochdale.
Reflecting on the ceremony, Mr Gifford said: “It was an amazing experience meeting The King and receiving this wonderful honour but the day was made truly special because my wife and children were with me.”
He added: “Not too many people from Greater Manchester receive these awards and the whole thing felt quite unreal – a Mancunian standing there talking with His Majesty as he thanked me for my work with NCS and the young volunteers who contributed to The Coronation.”
Mr Gifford said his commitment to public service has been shaped by his family background and career choices.
“As I have said before, public service is important to me whether it is at FCHO, the NCS or through my work in the NHS and education,” he said.
“My dad was a policeman, my mum a social worker and my wife is a deputy head teacher, so I believe public service can make a difference and I am proud to have spent much of my personal and professional life supporting communities.”
He also stressed that the recognition reflected the efforts of many others. “I had a great day but I am conscious this award is not all about the recipient. No-one can achieve this alone.
“It needs the help and support of many people both professionally and personally. I thank them all because this honour is as much for them as it is for me.”
Mr Gifford said he intends to use the profile of the OBE to further support First Choice Homes Oldham and its customers and colleagues.
Before joining the NCS, he held senior leadership roles within the John Lewis Partnership, including responsibility for all Waitrose supermarkets.
An OBE – Officer of the Order of the British Empire – is awarded for significant contributions to arts, sciences, charity, public service or business, ranking below a CBE but above an MBE.
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