Blackburn with Darwen Council's former boss has been recognised with an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours List.
Harry Catherall has been awarded the title, which recognises extraordinary service to the community, for his "outstanding contribution to public service".
He has spent more than 45 years in public service, starting as a 16-year-old apprentice at Tameside Council and putting off his retirement for more than five years to support various crisis-ridden authorities across the region.
He joined a council apprenticeship scheme at Tameside, juggling evening classes at Manchester Polytechnic to qualify as an accountant with his full-time job.
After nine years at Tameside, and a further nine at Stockport, Mr Catherall flew the Greater Manchester nest for a 22-year term at Blackburn with Darwen, where he climbed the ranks to CEO.
Former Leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, Mohammed Khan CBE, said: "Harry spent more time here than at any other council and a proud moment for us both was winning the coveted Council of the Year award in 2018.
"He is well known for expecting high standards across all services and for his determination to improve communities. He ensured the success of major projects that directly benefitted the health and wellbeing of residents and took a special interest in children and adult social care, education, and the cathedral quarter development.
"It’s great to see national recognition for his humble dedication and the impact he’s made over the years."
After 40 years of service, the dedicated public servant intended to enjoy an early retirement.
But the Local Government Association (LGA), a national body for local authorities across the country, had other plans.
Mr Catherall was invited to provide interim chief executive support at St Helens Council, where he worked until moving to Oldham in 2021.
In that role, he once again postponed his retirement, which he was due to take in 2023.
The former Oldham Council interim CEO now serves as Tameside’s chief executive.
He said: “I am a lifelong resident of Tameside, born in Newton, Hyde and attended Flowery Field infant, junior and senior schools.
"I was aware of 'the council’ from a very early age, my mum spoke of the considerable support we got as a family, including the house we lived in.
"She inspired me to think about a career in public service and was so proud when I joined the council straight from school.
“It’s a privilege to work alongside talented, dedicated and passionate people who are fully focused on changing their lives for the better and I am absolutely delighted to be honoured with an MBE.
"I thank Oldham for the nomination, and everyone for their very kind words."
Mr Catherall is known best for his recent interim role at Oldham Council, where staff claim he kickstarted a "council reset" and change in culture between employees and members of the public.
He oversaw a rapid improvement of children’s services after they were deemed "borderline inadequate" by Ofsted in 2019, and the start of numerous regeneration projects including the 15-year partnership with city developers Muse.
Oldham Council’s political boss, Cllr Arooj Shah, called the former CEO an "exemplary" public servant, and added: “I am delighted that Harry has been honoured for his fantastic and longstanding contribution to local government.
"Harry is an inspirational and transformative leader of public services and Oldham was incredible lucky to have him as its chief executive.”
And Oldham MP and Minister of State for Local Government, Jim McMahon OBE, recalled seeing Mr Catherall’s "straightforward and disciplined approach first hand’, adding he ‘couldn’t be happier" to see the Tameside CEO awarded an MBE.
More recently, Mr Catherall returned to Tameside to help bail out the crisis-ridden council after their children’s services were blasted for "serious failures" that left kids "at risk of harm".
The struggle to improve the Ofsted "inadequate" rated services resulted in a spate of resignations at the end of 2024.
Mr Catherall was seconded to the local authority on an interim basis, initially splitting his time between Tameside and Oldham.
At the time, he commented on his connection with the local authority and said: “It brings me great pride to return to [Tameside] in its time of need.”
According to Tameside Council boss, Cllr Eleanor Willis, the soon-to-be Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) has already made an impact.
Ms Willis said: “We are deeply grateful for his exceptional service to Tameside Council to date.
"His dedication has not only strengthened our organisation but also uplifted staff morale, fostering a culture of positivity and progress.”
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