Social services directors featured prominently in this year’s New Year’s Honours List.

Alan Wood, former director of children’s services at Hackney LBC and former president of the Association of Children’s Services, received a knighthood while Ray James, director of health, housing and adult social care at Enfield LBC and former president of the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services, was awarded a CBE.

CBEs also went to Dave Hill, director of social care at Essex CC and Andrea Sutcliffe, chief inspector of adult social care at the Care Quality Commission while Judith Hay, assistant director for children and families at North Yorkshire CC and Martin Kelly, head of resources, children’s and young people’s services at the same council both received an OBE.

Chief executives who were honoured included Elma Murray of, North Ayrshire Council and Joyce White of Dunbartonshire Council who both received OBEs. Amanda Skelton of Redcar & Cleveland received a CBE while Sue Smith, former joint chief executive at South Northamptonshire and Cherwell DCs received an MBE.

The successful Hull City of Culture year also brought awards for its leadership team. Hull City Council leader Stephen Brady and Jon Pywell, the council’s culture and place manager received OBEs. Martin Green, head of Hull’s City of Culture team, received a CBE while chair Rosie Millard and executive director Fran Hegyi received OBEs.

There were OBEs for Graham Garvie, former convenor of Scottish Borders Council, Annie Hampson, chief planning officer for the Corporation of London, ans Cllr Dennis Harvey, leader of Nuneaton and Bedworth BC.

Carol Garrett, trading standards’ team leader for Suffolkk CC Trading Standards, received an OBE while Anne Forbes, Ashford BC’s Syrian Resettlement Co-ordinator received an MBE

There were also MBEs for Cllr Morris Bright, Hertsmere BC leader and Cllr Ann Reid of York City Council.