A leading member of Wakefield Cathedral has been recognized in the New Year’s Honours.
Danny Wilks was awarded the OBE for service to policing and voluntary services to Justice and the community in West Yorkshire. He has 47 years’ service with West Yorkshire Police, has been involved in policing HR for many years at a national level and is currently managing HR for the Force’s Positive Action Recruitment Campaign.
The Dean of Wakefield, the Very Revd Jonathan Greener said: “This is marvellous news for us at Wakefield Cathedral. Danny is a wise and valued member of our Governing Body, the Chapter, and as Churchwarden is always pleased to take a lead in welcoming people to the cathedral and in helping to organize our biggest services.
“Danny and his family are much appreciated members of the cathedral community, and we are all delighted that he has been recognized in this public way.”
After leaving school at 16, Danny started his career as a Junior Clerk in West Yorkshire Police Headquarters Mail Room before progressing through a variety of roles in HR.
He has been a Lay Member of Employment Tribunals for 20 years and is a Member of Chapter at Wakefield Cathedral. He is married with a 15 year old son and lives at Stanley, near Wakefield. In 2015 he was awarded the Force’s own award for Extraordinary Public Service, in recognition of the positive impact he had made on the police service nationally as a HR professional.