King’s Birthday honours celebrate foster carers, former Trust Chair and former Trust Home Manager

Elisabeth (Liz) and Gavin Brownlees - BEM

                             Gavin and Liz Brownlees

Elisabeth (Liz) and Gavin Brownlees, who foster for Birmingham Children’s Trust, are due to receive the Medal of the Order of the British Empire (BEM) for their unwavering commitment to providing safe, loving homes to vulnerable children.

Prior to becoming foster carers for Birmingham Children’s Trust in 2019, Liz and Gavin were both already working with children living in residential care and children with disabilities.

Their commitment in ensuring each child had the opportunity to live within a nurturing family home led them to enquire about becoming foster carers.

On hearing about their award on the King’s Birthday Honours list, Liz said: “We feel honoured to be recognized for the care we have provided for all the children we have looked after. We are happy that this award is highlighting fostering and hope that it can help and encourage others to join such a rewarding career.”

You can read more about these amazing foster carers, and find out what it means to become one on the Foster Birmingham website. 

Andrew Christie - Knighthood

                           Andrew Christie speaking at the Trust launch

Andrew Christie CBE, the former Chair of Birmingham Children's Trust, received a Knighthood.

Andrew was the first Chair of the Trust when it began in April 2018, a role he maintained until 2023. He stood down shortly after Ofsted published the report of its inspection of Trust services, all rated ‘Good’, and the Government lifted the Improvement Direction on the Council after over ten years.

Current Trust Chair, Andy Couldrick, said: “Andrew was instrumental in establishing Birmingham Children's Trust, first as the DfE Commissioner and then as its first Chair. 

“His calm leadership and practice wisdom were instrumental in the improvement in Children's social care in the city since the Trust's establishment in 2018.

“I am delighted that his contribution to Children's Services, here and nationally, has been recognised.”

Appointed Commissioner for Birmingham Children's Services by the Secretary of State in December 2015, Andrew continued in that role until December 2016, when he was appointed Chair of Birmingham Children’s Trust. In October 2019 he was appointed by the DfE as the Children’s Commissioner to Northamptonshire; he ended this role in January 2022. He was honoured with a CBE for services to children in 2017.

Anne Fenton - MBE

                                   Anne Fenton, MBE

Anne Fenton, who was awarded an MBE, started her career in August 1980 with Birmingham City Council as a Residential Childcare Officer caring for disabled children in a residential setting. Anne became Assistant Manager in 1989, moving to another home providing short breaks for disabled children. This was her first step into management. In 2004 Anne became a Home Manager caring for disabled children on a long term and short break basis. She was then registered with Ofsted as Registered Manager of the home.

To provide a dedicated focus on children’s social care, Birmingham City Council moved to adopt a Trust model, and in April 2018 Anne became part of Birmingham Children’s Trust.

Anne’s passion throughout her career was to care for the children to the highest level. She was hard-working, dedicated, kind, loving and very determined to ensure the very best outcomes for the children in her care. Anne worked closely with colleagues in the Trust and other professionals, always advocating for the children and their families.

Anne retired at the end of February 2024.

Said Anne: “It was always my passion to work with children, and it was my absolute pleasure to dedicate my whole career of 43 years to caring for disabled children in residential settings, ensuring that they were loved, respected and cared for to a very high standard.

“I feel that the children became part of my extended family, and I advocated tirelessly for them to ensure they achieved the very best outcomes whilst with us, and also by working closely with other professionals for smooth transitions to family or other homes. One young person even called me her professional Mum. This made me feel very special.

“Receiving the honour of an MBE has blown me away. I feel very proud and honoured to be rewarded in this way for a career that I absolutely loved.”

Trust Chair, Andy Couldrick, said: “I am delighted that Anne's dedication and skilled leadership, supporting and caring for some of the most vulnerable children, has been recognised with this Honour. It is well deserved indeed.”

James Thomas, Chief Executive of Birmingham Children’s Trust, added: “I am delighted that Anne, Elisabeth, Gavin and Andrew have been recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours list. 

"They have all made a significant contribution to children, young people and families through their dedicated public service and these awards are richly deserved.”

A full list of the King’s 2025 Birthday Honours can be found by clicking here.