New Council Deputy Chief Executive awarded MBE in New Year Honours

New Deputy Chief Executive Sayyed Osman (left) with Oldham Council leader Arooj Shah and Interim Chief Executive Harry Catherall

Having served with Blackburn with Darwen Council for almost 20 years, Sayyed is to receive an MBE in recognition of his contribution to the communities of East Lancashire as part of the Queen’s annual New Year Honours list.

Sayyed began his career in the housing sector in the early 1990s and has delivered significant regeneration and development for communities across the North.

Joining Blackburn with Darwen Council in 2002, he has worked at Deputy Director and Director level with responsibility for a number of departments, including Adult Social Care, Safeguarding, Community Safety, Prevent & Countering Extremism, Neighbourhoods, Adult Learning, Social Integration, and Housing Needs & Homelessness.

Cllr Arooj Shah, Leader of Council, said: “I’m delighted to hear that Sayyed’s hard work and dedication has been recognised with an MBE.

“The skills, passion, and unwavering commitment to improving and enriching communities that have led to him being awarded this MBE are exactly why we’ve hired him as our new Deputy Chief Executive and I can’t wait for him to get started.”

Harry Catherall, Oldham Council Chief Executive, added: “Sayyed has made a huge, positive difference to the lives of many people in Blackburn with Darwen in the last 20 years and we know that he’s going to continue that work right here in Oldham. We’re looking forward to welcoming him to the team in the new year.”