The former chief executive of Neath Port Talbot Council has been awarded an MBE for public service in His Majesty The King’s Birthday Honours.
Karen Jones DL, who retired as the council’s chief executive in late 2024, was appointed independent chair of the board steering the £20m Pride in Place regeneration drive in the Upper Afan Valley earlier this month.
“The award of an MBE is an incredible honour,” she said. “I have really enjoyed working in the public service and have met many inspirational people from all different backgrounds throughout my career.
“I have always had fantastic support too from my family — I know they are very proud of what I have been able to achieve and it is wonderful to share this award with them.
“Now I have retired, I am looking forward to continuing to make a difference as a volunteer.”
She was appointed to the council’s top job in November 2020, stepping up from her role as deputy chief executive and chief digital officer to succeed Steve Phillips — taking the helm in the middle of the Covid-19 pandemic.
During that period the council’s NPTBuyLocal scheme, set up to link communities with local businesses providing deliveries through the pandemic, won a national Association of Public Service Excellence award.
Under her leadership, Neath Port Talbot Council was shortlisted for the APSE Overall Council of the Year Award in 2023.
She announced her retirement in January 2024 and stood down towards the end of that year, succeeded by Frances O’Brien.
Retirement has not meant stepping back from public life. As chair of the Afan Valley’s independent Neighbourhood Board, she will lead the setting of priorities for £20m of UK Government funding over the next decade — steering both a 10-year plan and an initial four-year investment programme for what officials confirmed is the most deprived area in the county borough.
“The Upper Afan Valley is a beautiful place and this programme will make a difference for the people who live, work and visit,” she said on taking up the role.
She is among 84 people from Wales recognised in this year’s honours list — led locally by a poignant MBE for the late Swansea councillor Robert Francis-Davies — with the full list of Swansea Bay and Carmarthenshire recipients in our round-up.
Anyone can nominate someone for an honour — details are at gov.uk/honours.
