‘Surprised’ charity chief is among those awarded gongs in New Year honours
Former council chief executive and chairman of children’s mental heath charity are also recognised
Friday, 3rd January 2020 — By Sam Ferguson
Joe Irvin (left) and Michael Samuel
A CHARITY worker, the chairman of a children’s mental health charity and the former chief executive of Islington Council are among the faces featured in the 2020 New Year Honours list.
Joe Irvin, the chief executive of walking charity Living Streets, was made an OBE for his services to walking, active travel and the wider charity sector.
Mr Irvin, who lives in Tufnell Park, is also a trustee at Voluntary Action Islington – which supports 500 volunteer and charity organisations in the borough.
He said he was “honoured and surprised” at the award.
“This is recognition that making our streets safer and more attractive for walking and cycling is vital for our health and our environment,” he said.
“I’d like to think I share this honour with everyone I’ve worked alongside in the wider charity world through Living Streets, the Walking and Cycling Alliance, ACEVO, NAVCA, RSPB, Charityworks, Child Poverty Action Group and Voluntary Action Islington.
Lesley Seary
“I’ve always been motivated by helping others, whether in my charity work, in public service or in trade unions. In turbulent times it is salutary to stop and recognise the great positivity, generosity and kindness that people involved in the voluntary sector bring.”
Mr Irvin previously worked as a senior adviser on transport and the environment under John Prescott, and then for the Number 10 policy unit under Gordon Brown.
Former council chief executive Lesley Seary, who stepped down from her role in April last year after eight years at the helm, was awarded a CBE for services to local government. She now works as a non-executive director at Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospital NHS Trust.
Long-serving trustee and chair of children’s mental heath charity the Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families, Michael Samuel is set to become an MBE as a reward for his services to young people and mental health.
Two others with links to Islington were also honoured: Charles Manby, 61, was appointed MBE for services to charity and people with cancer. Mr Manby previously helped raise £200,000 to build The Lodge, a reading and community room at Pakeman Primary School in Hornsey Road.
Community engagement coordinator Yusuf Patel, 25, was made an MBE for services to community and interfaith cohesion in Redbridge.
Mr Patel used to work for a Prevent team in Islington where he worked on issues around terrorism and counter-extremism, and encouraging people to report hate crime.
