Ex-Counthill pupil’s delight at CBE

FORMER Counthill Grammar School pupil John Whittaker has been awarded the CBE.

The Latics fan who launched his civil service career in Oldham has been honoured for his work as deputy director of employment in the Cabinet office.

Mr Whittaker, whose father lives in Delph, also attended Clarksfield Junior School and started working at the former employment office in Manchester Road after completing his A-levels.

He then moved to London for a three-year detachment — but ended up completing 20 years in the department of work and pensions and five years in the treasury.

The last 15 years have been spent at the Cabinet office where he primarily deals with employee relations, as well as having a European role with the Public Administration Network.

This includes working with the trade unions.

He said: “It’s fairly challenging, but the people I deal with are absolutely great, it’s all about trust in the relationship.

It’s not necessarily following the formal approach — we do what we can as individuals to try and sort it out.”

The father-of-five, who lives in Surrey, still manages to get to some matches at Boundary Park.

Speaking of his inclusion in the New Year’s honours list, he said: “I am absolutely delighted.

“It is a great honour. I have enjoyed my career and the good thing is that it has been very diverse.

“The first 20 years were very much operational, helping people and trying to find work for them.

“I managed three job centres down here which was interesting and challenging.

“I then moved to the treasury where I worked reviewing the structures of different departments.”