Darren Share

Bromsgrove resident, Darren Share, has been named as a finalist in Birmingham City Council’s (BCC) prestigious Chamberlain Awards.

Darren, who has been employed by BCC for the past 26 years, was nominated by fellow employees for innovating the Parks Service within Birmingham and the surrounding area – a task which has led him to be named as a finalist in the Dynamic Leadership category.

The Chamberlain Awards scheme, which was established seven years ago by Councillor Alan Rudge, Cabinet Member for Equalities and Human Resources, is named after Joseph Chamberlain – one of Birmingham’s most respected Civic Leaders and is designed to reward BCC workers who go the extra mile to ensure that people of Birmingham receive quality services.

In his role as Head of Parks, Darren has implemented leading technology for grounds maintenance and park management, produced an increase in customer satisfaction from park users and ensured the Parks Service achieved the Customer Service Excellence award – all whilst achieving a £1.3m budget saving. This transformation has been recognised at national level with the Local Government Chronicle award for efficiency.

Darren Share, who oversees all 591 parks in Birmingham commented: “ Our parks were passed down to us by the Victorians and it is only right that we safeguard them and ensure they remain the centre of community for our children, grandchildren and even great grandchildren. Parks are not just green spaces but offer an opportunity for community cohesion and it is my ultimate ambition to make parks part of our wider health and social strategy.

“It was such a surprise to be nominated for a Chamberlain Award, let alone be told that I’m a finalist. Being nominated by the people that you work with on a daily basis is such an honour; being thought of highly by my colleagues is a fantastic feeling and I’m sure that, as a team, we will continue to take Birmingham’s parks forward.”  

Birmingham was recently named the overall winner of the Heart of England in Bloom Awards. Additionally, Darren led BCC’s 2011 Chelsea Flower Show team, securing sponsorship and designing the ‘Plight of the Gorillas’ display, which received the prestigious silver medal and went onto win gold at the Gardeners World Live show.

Councillor Rudge said: “The finalists in this year’s Chamberlain Awards have shown sheer determination and a caring attitude that really makes a difference to the local community. Their achievements highlight how the work done by Birmingham City Council employees has a direct and very real impact on both the city itself and the local residents.

“Since the awards scheme began, it has always attracted a high calibre of entrants and this year the competition is stronger than ever. The awards celebrate those employees who have gone far beyond their roles to make important and beneficial contributions to the communities in which they work and it is a pleasure to read so many inspiring stories.”

Award submissions were received under ten categories, including Working with Communities, Imaginative Teamwork and Dynamic Leadership. The general public were also invited to nominate their favourite team or member of staff in the People’s Choice for Service to the Community category. This award provides people, who do not work for BCC, with the opportunity to nominate the team or member of staff that they believe most deserves recognition.

The highly anticipated annual ceremony, where the winners of Chamberlain Awards 2011 will be announced, is due to be held at Birmingham’s International Convention Centre (ICC) on 11 November.