Sheffield council health expert who took charge of Covid-19 response celebrated with an OBE
A local council leader who helped tackle the Covid-19 pandemic on the national stage is being honoured with an OBE.
Greg Fell, Sheffield City Council’s director of public health, has been awarded the OBE (Order of the British Empire) in the King’s New Years Honours
Have led public health in Sheffield for more than a decade, Greg has looked to tackle some of the largest health inequalities that plagued the area, pushing developments in key areas including tobacco control, infant mortality, physical activity and outbreak management.
However, it was during the Covid-19 pandemic in which Greg’s skills saw him play a larger role in the national response to the outbreak.
In Sheffield, he worked closely with NHS partners, schools, civic leaders and the city’s voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise sector to build trust and deliver an inclusive response, which contributed to vaccine uptake that consistently ranked among the top tier of comparable cities, including in higher-risk communities.
Then, on the national stage he was a strong advocate for a closer working relationship between local authorities and the government - advising on the ‘test and trace’ programme to share good practices with national boards that contributed to improvements on how the systems functioned.
The total of his work - which includes acting as president of the Association of Directors of Public Health, a coalition between local authorities to advise on health practices - has now been recognised by Royalty with the King including him on his annual honours list.
“I’m very grateful and humbled to receive this honour,” Greg said.
“Public health achievements are always a collective effort, and I share this recognition with the dedicated teams, partners and communities I’ve had the privilege to work alongside.
“Sheffield is a city that cares deeply about health, wellbeing and community, and I’m proud to serve it.”
His ongoing work has seen Greg celebrated for his ability to communicate difficult issues with clarity and compassion, as over the years he’s addressed more complicated subjects such as poverty, gambling-related harm, climate change, air quality and compassionate end-of-life care.
It has come as part of a move to challenge stigmas, building public understanding of difficult topics in an effort to support long-term change.
Councillor Tom Hunt, leader of the council, added: “I am delighted to see Greg recognised for his outstanding contribution to improving public health and to local government.
“He is an inspirational leader who has made an enormous contribution to our city.
“Greg’s work during the pandemic saved lives, not least through building trusted partnerships with communities that led to high vaccination rates. He leads a team who ensure that public health is at the heart of what we do, and he plays a key role in the council's work to tackle poverty and ensure more people in Sheffield live happy, healthy lives.
“This important honour is thoroughly deserved.”
Kate Josephs CB, chief executive of Sheffield City Council, said: “We are incredibly lucky to have someone of Greg’s expertise, rigour, integrity and humanity working in service of the people of our city.
“Put simply, not just the work Greg does but the way he does it has and will continue to help improve and save lives, while influencing thinking and practice far beyond our city. This recognition is hugely deserved.”