Glasgow Officials Awarded Honours

Key figures from the city at the heart of so many of Scotland's major events in 2014 have been recognised in the Queen's New Year Honours list. Glasgow City Council leader Gordon Matheson scoops a CBE, as does Glasgow Life chief executive Bridget McConnell. The local authority's depute leader, Archie Graham, gets an OBE, along with city education director Maureen McKenna. The awards come after a year in which Glasgow hosted the 2014 Commonwealth Games as well as several other high-profile events. Mr Matheson said: "It is a completely unexpected but very touching honour to be recognised in this way for doing a job that I love and that is, in itself, a privilege to hold. "I am both fortunate and proud to work with a team of highly-committed and talented people at Glasgow City Council and I am delighted a number of them have also been honoured by the Queen, along with others in every walk of life across the city. "It is a wonderful way to recognise what has been a remarkable year of achievement for this great city in what was the Year of Glasgow.'' Educated at Glasgow and Strathclyde universities, Mr Matheson was first elected to the city council in 1999 and re-elected in 2003, 2007 and 2012. Representing the Anderston/City ward, he has previously served as a bailie, justice of the peace, executive member for education and city treasurer, before being elected leader in May 2010. Dr McConnell - wife of former first minister Jack McConnell - leads a staff of 2,800, with an annual budget around £120 million, aiming to change lives through culture, sport and learning. Her career highlights have included the £35 million refurbishment of one of Scotland's leading attractions, the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, the opening of the £74 million Riverside Museum and the opening of the £113 million Emirates Arena. She was also said to be key to Glasgow bidding to host the Commonwealth Games and later had responsibility for delivering much of the sport and cultural infrastructure needed to host the Games on time and on budget. She said: "Delivering a real and positive change to the people of Glasgow and Scotland through the very best in culture, sport and learning is an honour in and of itself. "I am deeply touched to receive such recognition for the work that we all do in Glasgow Life to make a real difference to the individuals and communities we serve.''