Jim Ferris OBE

Former Chief Executive Awarded OBE

Photo: Jim Ferris, OBE

Jim Ferris

The Foundation is delighted to announce that Jim Ferris, who retired recently as Chief Executive of The Percy Hedley Foundation, has been awarded an OBE for services to local and national Special Needs Education. Chairman of the Foundation's Trustees Nick Swales commented, "The Trustees and staff were very pleased to learn that Jim was awarded an OBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours List. The award recognises Jim's leadership of the Foundation over many years and his exceptional commitment to promoting the rights, needs and aspirations of disabled children and adults."

Jim qualified as a Teacher in 1968 and as an Educational Psychologist in 1977. He spent 23 years at the Percy Hedley Foundation, becoming its first Chief Executive in 1995.

Jim says "I am deeply grateful to have had the opportunity to lead such an organisation and honoured to accept this OBE on behalf of all who contributed to the work of The Percy Hedley Foundation. I think that award recognises the excellence of the Foundation: a truly unique organisation that tirelessly seeks to ensure disabled children, adults and their families can access highly specialist and individually tailored practical services."

As well leading the Foundation's work, Jim Ferris also contributed to the development of education for children with special needs, particularly those with cerebral palsy. He campaigned for the provision of high quality specialist education and also pioneered the use of Conductive Education therapeutic approach in the education of children with physical disabilities. He became an authority on this aspect of special education, speaking at regional, national and international conferences, served on national advisory bodies, and published a number of articles on special needs practices.

Foundation Chief Executive Dr Tony Best said, "We recognise the outstanding contribution Jim made over very many years. He saw through the development of the Foundation from a small special school to the current multi-agency service, providing specialist support to over 1000 children, families, FE students, and adults with disabilities. We are all delighted that Jim's contribution has now been acknowledged publicly through this well-deserved award."

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