Public health officials honoured for pandemic response

Mike Sandys, Director of Public Health for Leicestershire and Ivan Browne, Director of Public Health at Leicester City Council will receive awards from Loughborough University.

Honorary degrees are to be awarded by Loughborough University to Leicester and Leicestershire’s public health directors, in recognition of their outstanding contribution throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.

Ivan Browne, Director of Public Health at Leicester City Council, and Mike Sandys, Director of Public Health at Leicestershire County Council, will be presented with their degrees at the University’s summer graduation ceremonies.

Since the start of the pandemic both have worked tirelessly to lead and guide the people and communities of Leicester and Leicestershire through one of the most challenging times in living memory.

“Their contribution to the region during such difficult times has been truly outstanding,” said Professor Robert Allison, Vice-Chancellor of Loughborough University. “We are delighted to be able recognise and celebrate all they have done with the award of Honorary Degrees.”

Ivan Browne, Director of Public Health at Leicester City Council, said: “It’s an incredible privilege to serve the place that I was born in, live in and love in this capacity at such a crucial time, so to be recognised for my contribution in this way is so much more than I would have expected. I would like to thank Loughborough University for this great honour. 

“After such a challenging year for our city I would also like to acknowledge the extraordinary dedication and resilience of my team, wider colleagues and above all our local communities in meeting this unprecedented challenge.”

Mike Sandys, Director of Public Health for Leicestershire added: “This is unexpected and a real privilege. I couldn’t have led the public health response in Leicestershire without the heroic efforts of the people around me – in the team, the wider partnership, and of course my family who’ve supported me through long days and nights.

“I accept this honour recognising that many lives have been changed this year, and it has been so difficult for many families. But we have pulled together as a community and I am hopeful for the future.”

Leicester City Mayor Sir Peter Soulsby said: “Ivan is a supremely competent Director of Public Health but is also extremely motivated by his compassion and care for the people of Leicester and Leicestershire. I’m delighted that he is to receive this award which recognises the outstanding contribution he has made to our city over the past year.”

Leicestershire County Council leader Nick Rushton added: “I’m delighted that Mike has been honoured for his dedication to public health during the pandemic. He has demonstrated strength, selflessness, and professionalism to keep people safe and steer our local efforts. It is well deserved.”