NHS leader recognised for services to health and children's literacy in King's Birthday Honours

Claire Riley, chief of corporate services for the North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB) has been made Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in His Majesty the King’s 2025 Birthday Honours.

Claire has been recognised for services to the NHS spanning 18 years, and to children's literacy as chair of trustees for Seven Stories, The National Centre for Children's Books in Newcastle upon Tyne.

Reacting to the news, Claire Riley, said: "I am very lucky to work with amazing people who do amazing things every day, this recognition is very much for them and about them. I would like to say a huge heartfelt thank you to my colleagues, friends and family who have supported and inspired me over the years.

"I love what I do, which is a reward in itself, but it’s a real privilege to be nominated and awarded this honour. The NHS is a much-loved institution and I am proud to play my part, I hope I have helped and will continue to make a difference." 

Claire has led multi award-winning teams across NHS North East (former strategic health authority), Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and more recently as chief of corporate services at the ICB where she is also regional lead for women's health, and research and innovation.

ICB chief executive, Samantha Allen, said: "I am delighted for Claire. This recognition is well-deserved and testament to her hard-work, dedication and commitment to the NHS. Claire's energy, enthusiasm and passion for what she does is infectious and an inspiration to many.

"She has played a vital role in shaping our organisation from day one, always putting patients at its heart alongside championing fairer access to health care for our communities.

"As lead for women's health she spearheaded 'our big conversation' to find out what matters to girls and women, enabling their voices to be heard. Alongside this she has driven forward a programme of improvements to women's health including health hubs, better menopause support and sexual safety.

"Her commitment to roles outside the NHS, such as Seven Stories, demonstrate further her commitment to serving others and giving something back to the communities she so very much cares about."

Claire is trustee of national healthcare volunteering charity, Helpforce. The charity partners with hundreds of NHS and health organisations to accelerate the impact of volunteers to deliver benefits for patients, staff, and service users. She is also a trustee of Wag and Company – the visiting dog charity befriending older people in their own homes as well as in care homes or hospitals across the North East. Claire holds the Freeman of the City of London. 

Claire was born and brought up in Gateshead and now lives in Chester-le-Street. She is married to Christopher and has two daughters.