Avon Fire & Rescue Service’s Director of Human Resources and
People Development, Margaret Haskell, has been awarded an OBE in
the Queen’s Birthday Honours List.
Maggie, who is known professionally by her maiden name Harte,
was recognised for her services to local government. It follows a
career in local government of 30 years, 23 years of which has been
spent working for the fire and rescue services.
Maggie joined AF&RS in 2006 as the Business Services Manager
(HR and People Development). The following year she was made the
Director of Human Resource, taking a place on the Service’s
Management Board.
Previously she spent two years at The Fire Service College in
Moreton-in-Marsh as the Director of Service Delivery. Prior to that
Maggie carried out a range of HR functions at London Fire Brigade
where she worked for 17 years after joining in 1986.
In the summer of 2007 Maggie was elected by senior UK fire
service staff to serve on the board of the Chief Fire Officers’
Association.
Maggie, 56, who lives in Hawkesbury Upton, South Gloucestershire
with husband Dave, said of her award: “I am absolutely delighted to
be honoured in this way. I feel this is recognition for all of us
who work behind the scenes to support this wonderful service.”
Avon Fire & Rescue Service’s Chief Fire Officer Kevin
Pearson said: “I’m delighted for Maggie who is an extremely worthy
recipient of such a prestigious award. She works tirelessly to
ensure Avon Fire & Rescue Service can continue to provide a
first class service. She deserves every bit of recognition she
receives for the contribution she has made, not only to Avon Fire
& Rescue Service, but to the whole national fire and rescue
service community.”