A MUSSELBURGH resident has been awarded an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours, for services to the public sector.

Andrew Kerr, 62, chief executive of City of Edinburgh Council and one of the longest-serving council chief executives in the UK, had led the local authority during the Covid-19 pandemic.

He said he was “surprised” when he heard the news that he was to become an Officer of the Order of the British Empire, adding: “I’ve always wanted to have a job that makes a difference in people’s lives and to receive this honour for doing a job I love is very humbling.”

Mr Kerr moved to Musselburgh six years ago after leaving his post as chief executive of Cornwall Council to take up a similar role in Edinburgh.

A father-of-three, he is originally from Falkirk and first became a chief executive in 2005 in North Tyneside, also serving as chief executive at a local authority in Wiltshire.

Frank Ross, City of Edinburgh Lord Provost, said: “This honour is a well-deserved recognition of Andrew’s dedication to public service spanning five decades and, more recently, to his commitment to the City of Edinburgh Council and the people it serves.

“Over the last year alone, Andrew has led the council through events that have severely tested the city, navigating Edinburgh through a global pandemic – something no one has had to do before – and ensuring our services were able to continue to support our citizens in the most challenging of circumstances.

“From his beginnings as a leisure manager for Falkirk Council back in 1983, he has gone on to become one of the longest-serving chief executives in the UK.

“His varied career has seen him serve on the Audit Commission and Sports Council for Wales, lead on a number of major events, including the World Indoor Athletic Championships in Birmingham, and, more recently, the development of two successful £1 billion City Region Deals for Cornwall and here in Edinburgh.

“I would like to congratulate Andrew on behalf of the council but also the people of Edinburgh.”