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Ref no 9596-Leg-SK.        Issued 12 February 2007

CHIEF LEGAL OFFICER WINS
PUBLIC SECTOR AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE

Birmingham City Council’s Chief Legal Officer has been recognised for his valuable contributions to public service at a celebration of the part the Muslim community plays in British society.

In addition to being listed in the inaugural Muslim Power 100 publication, Mirza Ahmad was awarded its Public Sector Award for Excellence at a ceremony held in London on Saturday 10 February.

Mr Ahmad said: “This is a great success for Birmingham and a personal milestone for me. I am proud to be a part of the many positive contributions made by the Muslim community to British society and I am, in particular, proud that the work of Birmingham City Council has been recognised in this award.”

Mr Ahmad was called to the Bar in 1984 and became Chairman of the Bar Association for Local Government and the Public Service in 1998. He joined Birmingham in June 2000.  As Chief Legal Officer for Birmingham City Council he manages in excess of 300 staff and in 2000 became the first local government manager to gain a ‘three star – excellence rating’ under the Government’s Best Value scheme.

In addition, Mr Ahmad has led his Department to success in many national awards. Some of which include: From Midlands Excellence, in 2006, the awards of Investors in Excellence, Corporate Social Responsibility  and Most improved organisation; the LGC Legal Team of the Year 2005, one of the top 5 Lawyers in Local Government in 2005, Lawyer of the Month for the Black Lawyers Directory in April 2006, an Award for Excellence in 2005 from the Association of Council Secretaries & Solicitors and he was profiled in an October 2006 Commission for Racial Equality publication along with other leading world lawyers, such as Nelson Mandela, Mahatma Ghandi and  Mohammad Ali Jinnah (the Founder of Pakistan).

Leader of the Council Councillor Mike Whitby said: "This is excellent news for Mirza, Birmingham City Council and the City of Birmingham. We are proud of the work Mirza does for us here and for the contribution he and the wider Muslim community continues to make to the vibrant multi-culture of Birmingham."

Others on the Muslim Power 100 list include Birmingham Perry Barr MP Khalid Mahmood, boxer Amir Khan and Harrods owner Mohammad Al Fayed.

ENDS

Further information from Media Officer Sarah Kirby 0121 303 1271