THE chief executive officer of the Swindon & Wiltshire Local Enterprise Partnership has been awarded an MBE in the 2023 New Year's Honours list. 

Recipients in the list have been awarded for their outstanding contributions across all parts of the UK for their work in areas including sustained public service, youth engagement and community work.

Patrick Liam Bradley, 68, has been recognised for his services to the local economy and to the community in Wiltshire. 

The rank of MBE recognises outstanding achievements or service to the community with a significant long-term impact.

A total of 431 people were made Members of the Order of the British Empire in the latest list, including Lionesses Lucy Bronze, Beth Mead and Ellen White.

Known as Paddy, he is originally from Middlesborough, and he now lives with his wife in Salisbury.

They have been married since 2014.

He said he is "delighted" with the award, which he said was a big honour for him, his family, and for the SWLEP itself. 

Paddy joins several other members of the SWLEP board that have honours - its chair, Paul Moorby, has an OBE, as does Andrew Gudgeon. 

Paddy said: "I was delighted. I am the only person in my family to have received an honour."

He was born to a teacher and a housewife in 1954 and was the youngest of five brothers. 

He said: "I found out a few weeks ago. I don't like the reference to empire particularly, but I appreciate that it is the only system we have in this country. It's a big honour for me, and for my family, and it's a great reflection of the work of the SLWEP, too".  

While he is the CEO of the partnership, Paddy says his honour is, in part, a "fantastic" reflection of the good work of others. 

"We are working to develop the economny and to help businesses grow, and I think we are doing it in ways that are different to any other LEP in the country". 

As an example, he points to the Cyber Centre in Chippenham - a project which benefitted from £1.3m in funding that was originally intended for Salisbury as part of the ill-fated and controversial People Friendly Streets scheme. 

As CEO, Paddy has overall responsibility for the day-to-day running of SWLEP and its operations. He was also previously head of economy, skills and property development at Swindon Borough Council. 

He also spent more than 20 years in education as a teacher, headteacher and education inspector.