A Northumberland woman affectionally known as a 'driving force' of a care provider said she was 'humbled' after being honoured in The Queen's 70th Jubilee honours.

Kate Thompson, of Stocksfield, has been made an MBE as part of HM The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Honours.

Kate is a senior manager at Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust (JRHT), a registered housing association and care provider in York and north-east England.

She has been recognised for her many years of effective, inclusive leadership.

Kate joined JRHT in 2014 as a neighbourhood manager after more than a decade working in communities in Yorkshire, Lancashire and the Midlands.

“I am humbled to have been nominated for this honour and share the recognition with my amazing colleagues who have been working tirelessly to keep communities safe over the last two years without sacrificing the things that made life good in the first place," she said.

"I would also like to thank all our residents who did so much to keep morale high within my teams and among their neighbours during various waves of the pandemic.” 

Paul Kissack, chief executive of the Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust, added:  “Kate Thompson has been a driving force for social justice building inclusive communities for over 20 years, particularly focused on people with special educational needs and dementia, as well as being a strong champion of LGBT. 

"Since the start of the pandemic Kate has once again demonstrated her values-based leadership and dedication to others – supporting staff, residents and tenants of the Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust through difficult times. 

"Kate is an inspiration, and I’m delighted that her tireless dedication has been recognised in the Queen’s Jubilee Honours”.