Steve O’Brien, County Councillor for Bushey North, has been awarded an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for voluntary political service.
Having lived and worked in the Watford area for most of his life, Steve has always worked hard for the community by championing local issues and organisations. After beginning as an apprentice in Croxley Green, Steve was then signed by Watford Football Club in 1958 before leaving to start a successful print and design business in North Watford from scratch.
Steve was first elected to represent the community in 1998 on Watford Borough Council, after which he was elected to Hertsmere Borough Council, followed by Herts County Council in 2009. Throughout his time as an elected representative, Steve has continued to support schools, local groups and community centres. In addition to his council duties, Steve also served as Chairman of the Watford Conservative Association for over ten years.
Above all, his continued involvement in local charities throughout the years has been unwavering. Having been heavily involved in the Watford Almshouses charity for years, he has provided support and assistance to the Trust throughout his time on the committee. Additionally, Steve spent many years on the committee of the Industrial Therapy Organisation, a charity dedicated to providing relief and assistance to the disabled, through education, employment training and accommodation support.
Richard Harrington MP added: “I am delighted for Steve. He is one of the most genuine and hardworking people I have ever met, and throughout the years I have known him (and there have been a lot of years!) he has always done his very best to go out of his way to help anyone who needed it. His dedication to his family is second to none, and he has worked tirelessly for our local association and his constituents for years. This is thoroughly deserved and I am, as ever, very proud to call Steve my friend.”