Neil Jameson awarded CBE in New Year’s Honours

Community organiser Neil Jameson has received one of the Queen’s highest honours for his services to communities and social justice.

The Citizens UK executive director and London Citizens lead organiser has been awarded a CBE (Commander of the British Empire) in the 2016 New Year’s Honours list.

“Receiving this honour was a real pleasure, and is great recognition for the work of everyone involved with Citizens UK,” Mr Jameson said.

“We are democrats organising together for a better world with civil society at its heart.”

Mr Jameson started Citizens UK from a humble office in London’s East in 1994.

Originally known as The East London Communities Organisation (TELCO), operating out of Cavell Street in Whitechapel, it has earned itself the reputation of “home of community organising in the UK”.

Among its more prominent achievements is the Living Wage campaign, which, since its launch in 2001, has helped tens of thousands of families out of working poverty by delivering more than £210 million in extra wages.

“2016 is going to be an exciting year with Citizens UK’s member communities across the country set to be at the centre of negotiations with politicians and business on the key challenges and opportunities faced by civil society,” Mr Jameson said.

“In a fractured world it is more important than ever that diverse groups work and learn together to promote the common good.”

Mr Jameson was also made Honorary Fellow of Queen Mary University of London in 2012 for his civil society and East London work.