BT Director stunned by OBE for services to the regional economy
MIKE
Blackburn, BT's North West regional director, has been stunned by the award of
an OBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours. The OBE for services to the North West's
economy recognises his contribution to the economic health of the region through
a wide variety of roles for many years now.
Since he started as regional director in 2007 Mike has overseen the boom in
access to high speed broadband. The digital revolution has already seen more
than 2,428,000 households and businesses in the region; that covers Greater Manchester,
Merseyside, Cheshire, Lancashire and Cumbria; gaining access to fibre broadband.
Mike chairs the Greater Manchester Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) which is
looking to boost jobs in the region by 100,000 in the next 10 years. He played
an important role in the International Festival for Business, sponsored by BT,
which was a 50-day business festival last year in Liverpool highlighting the
economic strength of the region. The success of the event has ensured it will
return in 2016.
Mike paid tribute to his colleagues in BT and the business world, but he
reserved special praise for the staff and students at Manchester Communication
Academy. He is the Chair of Governors at the BT-sponsored school which opened
its doors to students and the community in 2010.
Mike, who has led the BT North West Board since 2007, said:- "There is a
great team working at the Manchester Communication Academy supporting the young
students and their families to achieve some exceptional results. I would like
especially to recognise the tena City, skill and professionalism of the staff at
the Academy in Harpurhey. This BT sponsored school and its students are the
economy of the connected society of the future. I was stunned when I
received the letter telling me of the award. It isn't something you plan for so
I was surprised and thrilled at the same time. Trying to keep it quiet for 6
weeks was the next problem, whilst we waited for the official announcement.
I'm very fortunate to work with some really inspiring and collaborative people
in the North West, both in the public sector and the private sector. I thank all
of them and my BT colleagues for all of their support. They make it fun and
rewarding."
As well as his job leading the BT North West Board, which develops strategic
relations with Councils, business and community organisations, Mike has a whole
series of high level roles to squeeze into, and outside, his working day.
Mike, who is based at the Dial House BT offices in Salford, is the chair of the
Greater Manchester Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP); Trustee of the Lowry
Theatre in Salford; deputy chairman of the North West Business Leadership Team;
and a Trustee of the National Youth Advocacy Service (NYAS) since 2000. The NYAS
is a UK charity providing socio legal services. They offer information, advice,
advocacy and legal representation to children, young people and vulnerable
adults through a network of dedicated paid workers and volunteers throughout
England and Wales. And in addition Mike sits on the North West advisory board
for the Prince of Wales charity, Business in the community, and was chosen as
the Prince's NW Regional Ambassador for 2010/11 and 2011/12.
