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The chief executives of two leading social care charities have received the highest accolade in the new year’s honours list, it has been announced.

Mary Marsh, of the NSPCC, and Jo Williams, of learning difficulties charity Mencap, were both made dames.

The government said that under Marsh’s leadership the NSPCC has effectively lobbied for the safety of children and that Williams had led Mencap through a wide-ranging modernisation programme.

Bert Massie, chair of the Disability Rights Commission, was also honoured on the same level, receiving a knighthood for his work on disability rights and equalities.

Williams said that she was surprised and delighted by the news. "I hope that I can take advantage of this great honour to further promote the interests of people with a learning disability and their families and carers," she added.

Tower Hamlets Council chief executive and former social services director Ian Wilson received a CBE and Community Care contributor Peter Beresford, professor of social policy at Brunel University, an OBE for services to social care

An OBE was also awarded to Celia Atherton, director of Research in Practice, which promotes evidence-based practice in services for children and families.

MBEs were also awarded to four foster carers while frontline professionals working in youth justice, mental health, domestic violence and children’s services recived a range of honours.

Dames

Mary Marsh, chief executive of the NSPCC

Jo Williams, chief executive of Mencap

Knighthoods

Bert Massie, chair of the DRC

Order of the Bath

Maurice Smith, previously HM chief inspector of  schools, Ofsted

CBE

Ian Wilson, chief executive, Tower Hamlets council

Gordon Edington, chair of children’s charity NCH

OBE

Robert Banner, chair of mental health charity Rethink

Peter Beresford, professor of social policy at Brunel University

Michelle Chinnery, co-chair of the Learning Disabilities Task force

Joyce Moseley, chief executive of Rainer

Kate Louise Nash, previously chief executive of Radar, the Royal Association of Disability and Rehabilitation

Joyce Thacker, senior head of service for children and young people, Rotherham Council Celia Atherton, director of Research in Practice

MBE

Harry Marsh, vice-chair of children’s charity NCB

Lady Jane Lloyd, chair of the Family Welfare Association