By GEMMA BROWN

Published at 09:40, Friday, 22 May 2009

A RIDING Mill woman has been awarded the highest honour the German Government can give to individuals for their services to the nation.

German Honorary Consul for the North-East and Cumbria, Josephine Chexal, was awarded the country’s Cross of Merit by the Consul General of the German Consulate at a ceremony in Newcastle last week.

The Order of Merit was instituted by the German Government in 1951 and is the only honour awarded in all fields of endeavour and may be given to Germans, as well as foreign nationals, for achievements in the political, economic, social or intellectual realm

British born Mrs Chexal was appointed German Honorary Consul in 1999, following her proposal by the head of the Siemens UK and the director general of the German British Chamber of Commerce.

She was presented with the cross, along with a certificate signed by German president, Horst Koehler on last Tuesday.

She said: “I had organised a dinner to coincide with a visit from the Consul General of the German Consulate, who is based in Edinburgh, and I had no idea what was planned.

“It was a huge surprise and a great honour to receive the cross. It’s also wonderful to know that the work you do is recognised as helping and making a difference.

“Only around 700 women worldwide received this honour last year, so I feel very privileged.”

From her office in Gosforth, Mrs Chexal, who is fluent in German, provides services to German nationals living in the UK including birth registration, pension, legal and personal identification certifications.

As part of the voluntary post, she also undertakes representational duties on behalf of the German Government, and was involved in the recent celebration of 50 years of German studies at Newcastle University.

Before becoming honorary consul, Mrs Chexal held senior positions within the regional development agency One NorthEast, and predecessor organisations over the last 26 years, focusing on the attraction and retention of international investment into the North-East.

She is also the chairman of the German British Chamber of Commerce in the North-East and Cumbria and is regional programme action chairman of Soroptimist International for the North of England.

In Tynedale, the Honorary Consul for Belgium and Luxembourg, also lives in Riding Mill, while just a few miles away, the Honorary Consul for Finland lives in Whittonstall.

Published by http://www.hexhamcourant.co.uk