Congratulations to Ian Marks (56-66) who has been awarded an MBE in the New Year’s Honours List for services to the community in Warrington.

After leaving Cambridge University, Ian moved to Lymm in Cheshire in 1971 with his wife Pam soon after joining St Helens based glass manufacturer Pilkington as a graduate trainee.  He soon became involved in the community by joining the local Round Table, founding a Community Action Group in Lymm and becoming Chairman of the Warrington Shelter Group.

In 1979 he was elected to Lymm Parish Council and has been a member ever since.  In 1983 Ian was elected as one of Lymm’s representatives on Warrington Borough Council.  From 2006 to 2011 he was Leader of this Council. 

During this period he became the first Chairman of the Cheshire and Warrington Leadership Board, formed as a result of local government reorganisation in Cheshire following the winding up of the County Council.  For a while, he served on the Board of the Cheshire and Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership having been involved in its formation.  Ian also served for a time as the Deputy Chairman of the North West Leaders’ Board.

Twenty years ago he had the idea of starting up a community and arts festival in Lymm.  This has gone from strength to strength and puts on around fifty events over an eleven-day period.  For most of this time, Ian has chaired the Festival Committee.

Upon receiving news of his award, Ian commented, “I was completely taken back when the letter arrived from the Cabinet Office. It is a great honour to be recognised and not something I was expecting. “

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