Chief executive awarded MBE in King's Birthday Honours

We are delighted to announce that our Chief Executive Susan Parsonage has been awarded an MBE for her outstanding dedication and service to local government.

Susan has been the council’s chief executive since April 2019 and has had a long career in local government, leading services to deliver positive impacts on people’s lives. 

At Wokingham borough, she has steered the council through the Covid pandemic and cost-of-living crisis while focussing on improving services for local people and building strong partnerships across the borough. 

Her efforts have helped the council become rated as the second most productive in the country (in the Impower Index) and be short-listed for the MJ Council of the Year award last year.

On hearing of the MBE, Susan said: “I am deeply honoured but also humbled by this award. I am passionate that local government is about people and that it can deliver a real difference to our residents. I see this award as recognition of the value of local government and what my colleagues and the councillors do for the borough.

“I’ve always believed councils have a vital role in working with partners to help all residents to thrive and I hope that we have been able to do that in Wokingham borough.”

  
Putting people at the heart

During Susan’s time as chief executive, the borough council has sought to put people with experience at the heart of decisions through the Social Care Future programme. It has also worked with partners to develop a long-term Communities Vision for the borough and has strived to involve voluntary and community groups directly in decision-making and service improvement.

Emma Cantrell, MBE, chief executive officer of the charity First Days, said: “This honour is incredibly well deserved. Susan's leadership has always been about enabling others to succeed, listening carefully and putting people before ego. That approach has strengthened communities across Wokingham borough and made a real difference to the lives of local residents.”

Improving partnerships with businesses

Susan, who has also been short-listed for this year’s MJ Chief Executive of the Year Award, has also been pivotal in improving partnerships with businesses and contractors.

Places Leisure Area Manager Tony Penge said: “Places Leisure are delighted to see Susan Parsonage recognised with an MBE – it is a richly deserved acknowledgement of her commitment to public service and her impact across the local community in the borough.

“Susan has been a strong advocate of our partnership working, and we are proud to work alongside her to deliver initiatives, such as our Big Sister programme, that make a real difference to the local community.”

Susan’s career includes being chief executive at Lancaster City Council and working as a director at Ealing Council. Her first role was running a campaign for Chester Council to raise awareness about violence against women and children.

Leader of Wokingham Borough Council, Stephen Conway said: “Susan’s focus is always on people and communities, and she has thoroughly earned this honour with her outstanding dedication and commitment to the borough’s residents.”

The award was announced on Saturday 13 June in the King’s Birthday Honours.