Shropshire-raised Paralympics chief Penny Briscoe picks up OBE
A Shropshire-educated former international canoeist who led the Paralympics team to second place in the medal table has been given an OBE in the New Year's Honours List.
Penny Briscoe, who grew up in Telford, was the Chef de Mission at the Rio Games, in Brazil, and her efforts to prepare the athletes for contest have been rewarded with the new honour.
Miss Briscoe, who was made an MBE in 2013, was appointed director of sport at the British Paralympic Association in 2002 and has been a driving force at the heart of the revolution in disabled sport since then.
The former Hadley Secondary School pupil was responsible for all aspects of team preparation in the build-up and during the tournament to ensure the athletes were in the best shape to perform at their best.
"I am incredibly proud that the successes of Paralympics GB are being recognised by the Queen in this way. The inclusion of our athletes and team members in the New Year's Honours list is testament to an incredible performance at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games and I congratulate them all," Miss Briscoe, 51, now of Nottingham, said.
