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Hampshire Charity Chief Executive is awarded an OBE
16 June 2009
Mike Smith, Chief Executive of regional disability services organisation, Enham, has been awarded an OBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours list published on Saturday 13th June, for his services to people with disabilities.
Enham is a charity working for disabled people located in Enham Alamein, north of Andover. Originally formed by George V and Queen Mary in 1919 to rehabilitate disabled ex-Servicemen returning from the Great War, the charity now works across ten counties in the UK. Each year, the organisation works on behalf of 3,000 disabled people finding employment opportunities and assisting independent living.
Mike was formerly Chief Executive of St Loye's Foundation in Exeter, a school of occupational therapy and a vocational training college for disabled and disadvantaged people. He has been involved with the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Strategic Health Authority and is currently working with The Hampshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust on behalf of people with learning difficulties and mental disabilities.
Mike's previous career was formerly in the Royal Air Force, flying Hercules. He has lived in Rome, Brussels and Munich, and has worked for the UNHCR in Geneva. Mike now lives in Highclere in Hampshire. His interests include running and watching rugby and assisting a number of small organisations to set up social enterprises in the community.
On this award, Mike commented ‘I feel very proud to have been given this honour, not just for myself but for all the people who work in disability organisations who help fulfil the needs of disabled people and assist them to more options and choices in their lives. Enham is ninety years old this year and this is a great birthday present and encouragement for our work'.
Rod Chamberlain, Enham's Chairman added ‘The honour is both a fitting tribute to Mike, recognising how far he has brought the organisation in the last decade; and a marvellous springboard for Enham as a whole, as we embark on a decade of further transformation running up to our centenary'.
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by King George V.
Pictured: Mike Smith, Chief Executive of Enham
