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16 September 2008
Brentwood Borough Council has conferred Honorary Freeman status upon our Chairman, Alan Cherry CBE DL. The conferring of Honorary Freeman is the highest honour that the Council can bestow and is given in recognition of his many achievements and service to the Borough. Alan is only the third person ever to receive the honour.
The Mayor of Brentwood, Councillor Dudley Payne said, "As Mayor it is indeed a great honour and pleasure for me to present the Freedom Scroll to someone who is so widely respected by the whole community of Brentwood. Alan Cherry is a truly worthy person to receive this great honour."
Alan Cherry is the Founder Chairman of Countryside Properties PLC, one of the UK’s leading housing and property development companies, which has its headquarters in Brentwood. He has achieved much in the business world specialising particularly in the creation of sustainable communities, urban regeneration and renewal.
Alan was awarded an MBE in the 1984 New Year’s Honours List, and awarded a CBE in 2003 for Services to Housing and Urban Regeneration. In 2002, he was appointed a Deputy Lieutenant for the County of Essex and in 1991 was elected an Honorary Member of The Royal Town Planning Institute. In 2002, he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by Anglia Ruskin University in recognition of his long association with and great contribution to the development of the University and his assistance in the work of the Board of Governors as a member, Deputy Chairman and Chairman.
Despite his significant commitments, Alan has demonstrated a commitment to the Borough and the Council in particular. He has supported a number of business projects and initiatives within Brentwood. He is a Guardian of the Brentwood Foyer; President of Brentwood, Hutton & Billericay Leukaemia Research Fund; President of the Essex Air Ambulance Charity; and Vice President of the Essex Community Foundation.
Alan was a founding Director and sponsor of the former Brentwood Enterprise Agency, which provided a range of advice and support services for new small businesses in the Borough. He was also a personal sponsor of the Brentwood Shopmobility scheme.
Alan is also committed to Brentwood as a Borough and is a longstanding local resident.
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Information correct as at 30/01/2009