THE chief executive of an Ellesmere Port-based youth charity was recognised in the Queen's Birthday Honours.

Chris Hindley, of Youth Fed, received an OBE for his services to young people in the North West of England.

He has been in his current role since 2010, driving the organisation forward to support more than 5,000 young people between the ages of 8 and 25.

Wigan-born Chris, who lives in Liverpool, has helped launch and guided the delivery of new projects and initiatives that directly enabled young people across the region to thrive and achieve their full potential, regardless of background or circumstance.

During 2020, he has been instrumental in the internal change at Youth Fed to be able to deliver more digital courses and continue to support young people during the coronavirus pandemic.

In addition to Chris’s role at Youth Fed, he is also a board member of the Cheshire and Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership.

He said: "Like all honour recipients, the first thought on hearing the news of the award is of all the people who have helped, supported and provided opportunities for me to grow and develop.

"I have been lucky to work with a great many inspirational CEOs and I have been part of boards led by brilliant chairs such as Lady Anne Stoneham MBE, Christine Gaskell and Clare Hayward MBE.

"However, this award is a recognition of the Youth Fed and the amazing work it does to support thousands of young people across the North West of England.

"Through this award, the efforts and dedication of all the staff, volunteers and trustees will be rightly acknowledged.

"I have been privileged to be part of an outstanding senior leadership team and it is at this great charity that I have been fortunate to work closely with the President David Briggs MBE, and chairs Judith Done, Alastair Stoddard and Jim Bisset MBE, all of whom have made me a better leader and played a critical part in making me the person I am today.

"I am hugely grateful to my family and to my beautiful wife and daughter for providing the safe base from which I have been able to explore and, to mangle an old phrase, 'if I have been lucky enough to see a little further than others, it is only because I have been lifted by these wonderful people'."

James Bisset MBE, chairman of the board of trustees at Youth Fed, added: "The board of trustees and indeed the whole Youth Fed team would like to extend our congratulations to Chris on this well-deserved award as recognition for Chris's endeavours in creating meaningful change for young people in our region."