Former Hounslow Council Leader Receives New Year Honour
MBE for Steve Curran for services to local government and the community
Steve Curran by Brentford Bridge. Picture: Steve Curran/Twitter
January 3, 2023
The former leader of Hounslow Council has received an MBE in this year’s New Year’s Honours list.
Steve Curran, who announced this March he would be stepping down to receive treatment for cancer, was awarded for services to Local Government and to the community in Hounslow.
A few months prior to his departure it had been announced that Hounslow had been named Council of the Year at the Local Government Chronicle (LGC) Awards.
Mr Curran has lived in the Brentford area for around 20 years and worked for three decades as an operations manager for the NHS.
He was elected to Hounslow Council in 2010 and served in the cabinet holding portfolio responsibility for education and housing before becoming leader.
He guided the borough through the Covid-19 crisis during which time he was often a fierce critic of government policy.
Often described as pugnacious, he nevertheless had friends and admirers from all parties in the borough.
Another recipient of an honour in the borough was Peter Gilham who was given a British Empire Medal. He currently works as Player Welfare Manager for Brentford Football Club and is the longest serving PA announcer for any club in the UK. He was given the award for services to Association Football and to the community in the London Borough of Hounslow.
Peter Gilham. Picture: Brentford FC
The Leader of Hounslow Council, Councillor Shantanu Rajawat said, " I am delighted that my former colleague Steve Curran has received an MBE in the New Year’s Honours list. Having worked closely with Steve for a number of years, I have seen first hand his steadfast commitment to the residents and communities of Hounslow. As Leader of Hounslow Council, not only did he navigate the unprecedented challenges of the pandemic, but he also oversaw 1,300 council homes being built for local residents and ensured local businesses could thrive in Hounslow. His achievements culminated in Hounslow Council winning “Council of the Year” in 2021 at the Local Government Chronicle Awards. This MBE illustrates Steve’s legacy to Hounslow and the hundreds of local people, businesses and communities who benefitted from his leadership."
He also congratulated Peter Gilham and Jagraj Singh Sran from Cranford who received a BEM for his fundraising efforts for the Pingalwara Trust, which supports vulnerable people.
Cllr Rajawat added, "A well-deserved recognition for all three people – congratulations for the honour and their contribution to Hounslow."
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