HM The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Birthday Honours List 2022 marks the public service of individuals across the UK in celebration of Her Majesty’s 70 years of service.
Kevan is honoured among an incredible list of over 1,000 people, recipients who have been awarded for their outstanding contributions and work in their communities across all sectors.
On hearing the news, Kevan Liles MBE said:
“I am deeply humbled to receive this honour. I have spent 30 plus years working with local VCSE groups to promote and support their work in communities – this honour gives recognition to our local community sector and it’s incredible work ‘on the ground’. I take the opportunity to acknowledge all of the staff and trustees at VAL, for their hard work and dedication for our communities.”
“I came to work at VAL way back in 1990 having worked with the Tenants’ Association on St Matthews Estate in Leicester where I had discovered the transformational potential of local community led action – I hope that my work at VAL has done your work justice!”
Kevan, joined VAL as Chief Executive from St Matthews Tenants Association in 1990. He previously worked in production management in Industry and as a Social Worker for the County Council. From that point in 1991 he steadily built the reputation and scale of VAL to the organisation it is today, building it from 10 FTE staff to 75 FTE staff along with our public reach expanding from Leicester to also cover Leicestershire. In 2000/1 he managed the fundraising and raised, £1.5 million over 18 months to fund the refurbishment of the VAL Building at 9 Newarke Street.
Kevan has led the establishment of a range of new local services such as Leicestershire Healthwatch, the Carers Centre, Learning Disability and EU funded local employment projects, not only has this increased the profile of our local voluntary and community action, but has also strengthened our links in working with Strategic Partnerships within the local public sector.
He has also helped in delivering the mass volunteer support such as the Special Olympics, the reinternment of Richard III, and recently the huge local response to the Covid 19 pandemic.
VAL has been helping volunteers and community groups to thrive for over fifty years and across a range of services encompassing education, employment, support and funding for some of the hardest to reach and most marginalised people in society.
To find out how your business, charity or group could value from talking to VAL contact them on 0116 257 5050 or visit https://valonline.org.uk/