We proudly announce that our Chief Executive, Mark Lawrie, has been awarded an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2025 New Year Honours List. This prestigious recognition is for Mark’s outstanding services to education and young people.
Mark has led StreetGames since 2021, driving our mission to harness the power of sport to create positive change for young people living in the UK’s most underserved communities. Under his leadership, we’ve expanded our reach and impact, working with over 1,600 community-based organisations to provide accessible, fun, and inclusive sports opportunities through initiatives like Doorstep Sport.
Mark’s career in education and sports spans more than 25 years, with roles in teaching, children’s services, and sports development. His expertise has shaped national policies and programmes to improve outcomes for young people, particularly those facing significant challenges. Beyond his work with StreetGames, Mark also serves as Chair of Trustees for the Personal Best Foundation, further cementing his commitment to supporting young people from all backgrounds.
On receiving news of his OBE, Mark said: “I am deeply honoured to receive this recognition. It reflects the hard work and passion of the entire team at StreetGames and the Personal Best Foundation, as well as the incredible community organisations we support. Our shared goal is to ensure that every young person has the opportunity to reach their potential, no matter their background.”
John Cove, StreetGames Chair, commented: “On behalf of the StreetGames Board, I congratulate Mark on his well-deserved Honour. It is fantastic to see Mark’s work validated in this public way as the commitment, innovation and efforts he makes above and beyond often go unseen but are central to how he drives the organisation forward to make a real difference to children and young people’s lives up and down the country.”
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