The leader of Surrey County Council was awarded a CBE in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours for services to local government and charity.

David Hodge, who grew up in an orphanage and a boys’ home, became leader of the council in 2011, having spent 19 years in Surrey politics.

He was elected to Tandridge District Council in 1992, following a 22-year career in the British Army, which saw active service in Northern Ireland and Borneo.

He was elected to Surrey County Council in 2005 and became deputy leader in 2009.

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Surrey County Hall. Pic credit: Jon Sharman

During his tenure as leader, the Surrey won the ‘Council of the Year’ prize at the Improvement and Efficiency Awards 2013.

A dedicated Rotarian, Mr Hodge has served as president of his local club and district governor of Surrey and Sussex, and holds rotary awards for his charitable work over 25 years.

In 2005 he led a team of Rotarians to Sierra Leone to raise funds and help build a hospital. Over the next three years he led another team to raise nearly £200,000 to help build a new village for 670 orphaned children, providing a school, training centre and homes.

Mr Hodge said: “I’m delighted and honoured to receive this accolade, which is really a tribute to the tireless work of thousands of council and charity workers who deliver services to the people of Surrey.

“It’s a huge privilege to serve the residents of Surrey as a councillor and as its leader.

“I’m determined to carry on doing all I can to stand up for the county including when it comes to highlighting the funding pressures we’re facing.

“I wouldn’t be able to carry out my local government and voluntary work without the support of my wife and family and this award also recognises all the help they’ve given me over the years. I’m very grateful to them and I’m looking forward to them joining me when I receive my award.”

From January: New Year's Honours List 2016: Photographers, dance teachers, anti-slavery ambassadors, and charity and community workers from across south London, north Surrey and Kent

A CBE (Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) is awarded for having a prominent but lesser role at national level, or a leading role at regional level.

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