The deputy Leader of Hillingdon Council has become the second youngest person to receive a CBE from HM The Queen.
Cllr David Simmonds, who represents Ickenham ward, has been recognised for his services to children, families and local government.
He said: “It's been a huge privilege for me to be able to speak up for the local councillors and the children's social workers who do such a fantastic job in the time that I've been working in the local government association.
“I think those people are often the unsung heroes and in many ways I think getting an honour is an honour in itself but also a great recognition of the work in the whole of the sector and keeping children safe.”
Aged 39, Conservative Cllr Simmonds, became the youngest Hillingdon councillor when he joined in 1998 and is now the second youngest person to receive a CBE.
He told getwestlondon: “When I received the letter it was a surprise.
“This makes me the second youngest man to receive a CBE, after Mo Farah, and his career has gone from strength-to-strength and he's looked at using it to spread positive messages more widely.
“I'm very confident with the way we work with residents in Hillingdon, we've been recognised and re-elected as councillors and as an administration many many times and I think we just want to make sure that the positive direction of improving children's services in local government continues to go that way.
“We're getting better at intervening early and that's what I'm working on and I want to make sure that continues. That's my next big challenge.”
Cllr Simmonds was the mastermind behind the delivery of three new youth centres in Hillingdon and became responsible for children's social services in 2000. He additionally took on the role as cabinet member for education in 2006.
